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TH  E 


TNTKODlrlXG 

A   NEW  AND   PEACTICAL  SYSTEM 

Educating    Horses 

AND 


A-MlTrUTf    BY 


O.   S.    PRATT. 


•fiNTAINIKO    MANY     VALrAB&E    RECEIPTS    AS    Y.T^LL    AS    AM 

EXPLANATION  TO  MY  CLASS  AKB  SCHOl  AES  OP  THE  THEOBY 

THEY  LBARN   OP   ME,    FOE    FUTUPJB   EEPEKENCE. 

REMARKS  ON  SHOEING, 

ASD   THE 

RULES  OF  THE  UMON  OOUESB,  L.  I. 


NEW  YORK: 

PRESS     Oy    ANDERSON    k    DELANO. 
1869. 


PREFACE, 


r  is  not  too  miicli  to  say,  that  not  one  horse  in 
A>  a  hundred,  if  one  in  a  thousand,  in  the  United 
States  is  ever  properly  broken ;  or  one  in  fifty, 
when  offered  for  sale  as  a  finished  horse,  entered 
in  the  merest  nidiments  of  his  education.  Hor- 
ses are  very  rarely  actively,  and  almost  never 
savagely  vicious.  Nothing  more  than  this,  as  a 
general  thing,  is  required.  If  a  horse  will  carry 
his  rider  without  kicking  him  over  his  head,  or 
draw    him   in   his  wagon   or  carriage,  without 


4,  THE   HOBSE  EDUCATOK. 

kicking  it  to  chiyers  ;  if  he  will  go  off  at  a  walk, 
increase  Lis  speed  to  the  top  of  his  gait,  and 
stop  again,  when  pulled  upon,  without  running 
away ;  if  he  will  hold  back  going  down  hill,  and 
more  particularly,  if  he  will  stand  at  a  door 
without  tying,  he  is  held  to  be  fuilv  broken,  and 
is  willingly  received,  credited  and  paid  for  as 
such.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  such  a  horse  is 
far  fi'om  being  broken  at  ail,  especially  from 
being  well  broken,  as  a  perusal  of  the  contents 
of  this  book  will  conyince  the  most  skeptical. 


O.  S.  Pi-att. 


BIOGEAPHICAL  KEMAKKS. 


^-  WAS  born  iu  tlie  coimtj  of  Genesee,  State 
A.  (,f  New  York,  The  '-Garden  of  tlie  World."  I 
amused  myself  in  my  younger  days  by  taming 
and  educating  animals  of  the  small  kind  or 
order.  At  the  age  of  twelye  years  I  had  a 
caravan  on  a  small  scale  of  trained  and  tamed 
coons,  croAvs,  squirrels,  dogs,  rabbits,  etc.  Such 
an  innate  desire  had  I  to  see"  to  what  perfection 
the  ed\\cation  of  animals  could  be  brought,  that 

2 


8  THE   HORSE   EDUCATOE. 

it  became  my  constant  stiidv.  And  as  I  ad- 
vanced in  years,  the  noble  horse  claimed  my 
attention,  and  the  subject  of  subdiiing  him  by 
kindness,  and  in  a  practical  manner,  has  for  some 
time  occupied  my  thoughts.  The  result  of  my 
observations  and  study  are  given  in  the  pages 
of  this  volume. 


INTEODUCTOEY  EEMAEKS. 


'HIS  book  contains  the  best  known  method 
of  educating,  training  and  taming  horses;  it 
is  a  system  conceded  by  all  before  whom  it  has 
been  practiced,  as  perfect  in  all  its  points.  Some 
very  valuable  ideas  differ  from  E.  P.  Hamilton, 
the  most  important  of  which  is  bitting  a  colt, 
and  has  never  before  been  published.  I  shall 
also  give  a  few  remarks  on  shoeing,  and  some 
valuable  receipts  for  the  cure  of  various  diseases 
horses  are  subject  to. 

My  object  in  placing  this  work  before  the 
Public  is  to  obliterate  many  erroneous  ideas 
embraced  at  the  present  day,  by  persons  who 


10  THE   HOESE  EDUCATOK. 

are  now  ignorant  of  the  fact  (and  will  be  till  thej 
receive  instructions  as  taught  bj  me),  that  a 
theory  IS  necessary  to  success  in  the  management 
of  a  horse.  No  matter  how  simple  the  means 
used,  so  long  as  it  brings  about  the  desired 
effect.  Experience  teaches  ns  to  simplify  the 
process  of  handling  horses,  both  for  their  good, 
and  the  benefit  to  be  derived  therefrom.  In  this 
volume  I  purpose  to  give  exj^licit  directions  in 
regard  to  the  practice  of  this  system,  and  the 
means  used  l)y  me  in  educating  and  subduing 
every  horse,  therebv  showing]:  the  secret  of 
my  success. 

Showing  the  system  as  not  only  superior  to 
all  others  in  tlie  effects  it  produces,  but  that,  if 
practiced,  is  a  never  failing  remedy  for  all  vicious 
and  unmanageable  horses ;  also  as  being  the 
only  safe,  sure  and  reliahle^yay  of  educating  colts, 
and  if  always  used  and  practiced,  we  shall  have 
no  more  runaways,  no  more  kicking  or  baulky 
liorses,     T  firmly  believe   that  all  vicious  Jiabits 


THE   HORSE  EDUCATOR.  11 

horses  liaye  are  tauglit  tlieni  throiigli  tlie 
ignorance  of  their  owners  or  trainers,  and  it  is 
only  through  patient  study  and  perseverance 
that  common  sense  teaches  us  a  better  practice 
tlian  was  ever  before  given  to  the  Public.  To 
show  the  horseman's  superiority  over  him  is 
the  first  point  to  be  gained ;  teaching  him  that 
you  are  "man,  and  he  the  horse,"  that  through 
your  better  judgment  3'ou  have  over  him  perfect 
control  ;  that  his  business  is  simply  to  do  your 
bidding.  An  object  which  can  in  no  way  be 
attained  except  as  you  first  gain  submission  on 
his  part,  through  patience  and  kindness  with  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  a  theory  both  easy  and 
simple  to  practice,  incurring  slight  expense. 
Sucli  an  one  you  receive  at  my  hands.  So  easy 
is  it  in  its  use  that  a  boy  ten  years  of  age  can 
with  its  assistance  manage  the  most  ugly  and 
vicious  of  horses  with  ease  and  safety,  throwing 
them  from  ten  to  twenty  times  a  minute,  with 
his  hand  in  his  pockets. 


12  THE    HORSE  EDUCATOR. 

Persons  joining  mj  diss  have  the  advantage 
of  huying  the  knowledge  which  has  been  acquired 
by  years  of  study  as  well  as  the  experience  of 
my  own  experimenting,  as  it  is  a  well-known 
fact  that  physicians  hear  of  different  remedies 
having  been  used  with  success  for  a  disease 
seemingly  beyond  their  control.  They  conclude 
to  tr}'  them  as  an  experiment  on  their  patient 
with  successful  results,  and  are  thereby  heralded 
as  the  wonder  of  the  age  and  benefactors  of 
mankind.  Thus  it  is  with  us.  We  have  tried, 
and  have  found  a  remedy  for  the  vexations  in- 
cident to  the  management  of  the  noble,  but 
much  abused  horse.  We  call  oiu-selves  the 
horses  friend,  because  in  the  use  of  our  instruc- 
tions he  is  kindly  taught  Avhat  is  required  of  him. 
He  is  first  taught  that  he  must  succumb  to  the 
will  of  his  master.  He  is  then  caressed.  Show- 
ing that  only  kindness  towards  him  is  intended, 
he  is  thus  made  to  understand  what  is  desired 
of  him,  and  he  is  at  once  vour  obedient  slave. 


THE   HOKSE  EDUCATOR.  13 

There  are  now  many  works  before  the  pubHc  on 
this  all  important  subject,  and  many  different 
systems  taught  and  practiced  which  have  failed 
to  please  the  people.  And  why?  First,  because 
tliey  have  failed  to  make  their  theory  simple  to 
practice,  easy  to  comprehend,  and  practicable, 
many  times  using  cruel  means,  thereby  disabling 
the  animal,  rendering  him  unfit  for  use.  The 
carrying  into  practice,  of  many  of  these  systems 
is  expensive,  the  article  for  use  difficult  to  pro- 
cure, and  in  the  use  of  them  much  muscular 
strength  is  required.  Therefore,  seldom  tried 
more  than  once.  I  have  the  advantage  over 
those  who  have  preceded  me,  of  having  wit- 
nessed their  failure,  have  sought  to  learn  the 
cause,  and  guard  against  the  same  disaster,  till 
I  am  now  able  to  introduce  an  improvement 
over  them  all.  It  is  not  necessary  for  me  to  say 
this.  It  is  testified  too  by  all  the  best  horsemen 
the  country  affords.  My  reputation  is  so 
thoroughly  established  that  it  is  only  necessary 


14  THE   HORSE   EDUCATOR. 

to  let  it  be  known  Avlien  I  will  give  instructions 
to  a  class,  and  on  my  arrival,  from  one  to  four 
Imnclred  stand  ready  to  purchase  tickets.  It 
matters  not  liow  many  systems  tliey  already 
know,  or  liow  many  intimate  friends  they  may 
have  in  tliis  business,  for  wliom  tliey  desire  suc- 
cess. Tliey  are  each  and  every  one  ready  to 
testify  to  the  superiority  of  this  system  over  all 
they  have  ever  witnessed,  and  add,  that  it  is 
labor  saving,  and  nothing  but  fun  to  practice, 
and  before  the  instructions  are  half  over,  are 
satisfied  that  they  have  received  more  than  the 
worth  of  their*  money,  and  would  not  again  be 
placed  in  ignorance  for  twenty  times  the  price 
paid.  Xot  a  day  passes,  but  I  am  told  that  I 
am  doing  more  good,  than  any  one  man  in  this 
country  by  teaching  men  how  to  save  their  own 
and  other's  lives  by  educating  their  horses  not 
to  kick,  when  any  obstacle  touches  their  heels, 
and  to  stop,  as  though  shot,  at  the  word  of 
command.     You  are  aware  that  no  medicine  is 


THE   HOESE  EDUCATOR.  15 

used  by  me.  Notwithstanding  skeptics  look  on 
in  wonder  at  the  result  of  my  practice  on  horses 
brought  to  me  to  handle,  known  to  have  always 
been  untrue,  see  me  drive  them  in  the  street, 
without  quarter  straps  ten  rods  ahead  of  me, 
stop  and  start  them  at  the  word  of  command, 
and  back  the  vehicle  with  their  heels,  having 
seemingly  forgotten  how  to  kick,  or  that  they 
ever  had  the  habit.  This,  outsiders  say,  must 
be  the  effect  of  medicine,  and  will  not  last.  But 
you,  as  members  of  my  class,  know  better,  and 
furthermore  that  I  practice  nothing  which  is  not 
explained  in  the  class,  and  that  every  member 
can  perform  the  same  feats,  not  only  on  their 
own,  but  on  every  horse  that  can  be  produced, 
no  matter  what  habits  of  an  evil  nature  they 
may   be   addicted   to. 

It  is  desirable  that  colts  should  all  be 
educated  in  the  manner  I  teach,  that  they  may 
never  be  ugly  or  have  any  bad  habits  to  break 
up.    The  secret  of  having  so  many  bad  horses  in 

2* 


16  THE   HORSE  EDUCATOR. 

tliis  coimtry  is  bad  management  or  neglect  when 
tliej  are  young.  Horses  are  tauglit  to  be  nglj, 
because  tliey  are  caressed  at  the  wrong  time  and 
whipped  for  doing  just  what  thej  have  been 
taught  by  their  master  wlio  has  unconsciously 
rained  them.  And  after  these  habits  are  once 
contracted,  it  is  very  nice  to  have  a  remedy  to 
aply.  A  physician  to  aply  to — my  system  is  the 
needed  remedy. 

Persons  having  travelled  over  the  road  with  an 
inferior  system  are  no  stumbling  block  for  me, 
because  my  reputation  travels  faster  than  I  do, 
and  my  friends  are  made  by  hearing  of  me  before 
I  arrive  in  town,  and  I  am  welcomed  as  their 
benefactor.  I  am  constantly  in  receipt  of  letters 
from  various  places  soliciting  me  to  come  and 
give  them  instruction.  I  travel  slow,  and  hope  to 
give  the  citizens  of  every  town  in  each  county  an 
opportunity  to  learn  this  system,  for  it  is  a  fact 
that  more  attention  is  going  to  be  paid  to  horses 


THE  HORSE  EDUCATOR.  17 

and  tlieir  mauagement  than  ever  before,  because 
the  study  has  at  last  reached  perfection. 

In  my  free  exhibitions  I  show  that  a  horse  may 
be  taught  to  do  almost  any  thing  but  talk.  My 
favorite  horse,  known  as  Tom  Thumb  or  the 
Ladies'  Pet,  will  answer  any  direct  question  as 
readily  as  a  child,  and  with  equal  understand- 
ing  of  what  I  expect  him  to  do.  He  is  said 
to  be  the  best  tamed  or  educated  horse  ever 
shown  in  this  part  of  the  country,  and 
the  only  one  ever  seen  here  to  walk  on  his 
knees  which  he  does  with  ease ;  although  it  is 
a  feat  difficult  to  perform.  He  is  so  perfectly 
under  my  control  that  not  a  motion  of  mine 
during  the  entertainment  escapes  his  notice,  thus 
he  is  prompt  in  his  tricks.  Naturally  possessing  a 
superior  intellect  and  keen  perception,  he  has  been 
perhaps  more  easily  educated  than  many  could 
have  been;  but  so  far  as  the  principles  are 
concerned,  any  person  can  teach  their  own  horses 
to  do  the  same  thing,  by  adliering  strictly  to  the 


18  THE  HORSE  EDUCATOE. 

expKcit  direction  herein  contained.  I  have  also 
a  white  stallion,  known  as  the  North  Star, 
educated  to  drive  without  reins,  guided  wholly 
by  the  motion  of  the  whip.  I  do  not  often  exhibit 
him,  because  this  is  not  what  people  care  to 
see.  It  has  been  practiced  through  the  country 
by  persons  teaching  a  very  different  theory.  It 
is  not  desirable  to  me  that  this  system  be  classed 
in  that  capacity,  as  it  must  be,  if  I  give  the 
same  exhibition,  nor  is  it  in  any  way  desirable  to 
break  horses  to  drive  in  this  manner,  which  it  is 
both  simple  and  easy  to  do,  but  I  deem  it  more 
commendable,  and  practicable,  to  teach  a  horse 
to  drive  safely  icitli  reins  under  good  subjection, 
spirit  unimpaired.  The  beauty  of  a  horse,  aside 
from  his  formation  of  body,  is  his  spirit  and 
ambition,  at  the  same  time  submission  to  the 
will  of  his  master.  His  word  being  law,  and 
although  it  is  almost  impossible  to  convince 
thorough  horsmen  that  they  do  not  known 
it    all   concerning  the  horse   and  his  manage- 


THE   HORSE  EDUCATOR.  19 

ment.  TVlieu  once  they  can  be  prevailed  upon 
to  witness  an  explanation  of  mj  theory,  they 
are  my  best  advertisers.  Being  known  in  their 
community  to  possess  superior  knowledge  of 
all  the  improved  systems,  which  have  previously 
been  practiced,  they  are  so  pleased  to  find 
something  different,  and  so  perfect  in  all  its 
points  that  they  at  once  urge  others  to  come 
and  be  benefited  also,  and  it  is  thought  that  if 
we  can  teach  such  men  anything,  we  must  indeed 
know  something  worth  learning.  Were  it  not 
that  it  would  occupy  too  much  space,  I  would 
give  for  your  perusal  some  of  the  many  testimo- 
nials which  have  been  presented  to  me,  during 
my  travels. 

But  as  I  do  not  expect  any  to  peruse  this  book 
who  have  not  previously  obtained  thorough 
instruction  of  this  system,  it  is  not  necesary  for 
me  to  say  what  I  can  do  ;  but  merely  to  explain 
the  manner,  through  which  the  good  results  are 
produced  for  your  future  reference. 


20 


BEMAEKS  rOR  YOUB  STUDY. 


^IgipHEX  YOU  have  taught  your  liorses  wliat 
Jt- "lb  is  required  of  them,  and  appealed  to  their 
understanding  by  convincing  them  that  with  sub- 
mission on  their  part,  kindness  is  received,  the 
one  great  point  is  gained.  A  horse  or  a  dog  may 
l)e  taught  almost  anything,  provided  you  always 
use  precisely  the  same  terms  to  express  the  same 
idea.  Show  him  what  you  mean,  and  have  the 
patience  to  repeat  it  often  enough,  always  bear- 
ing in  mind  that  for  us  to  comjorehend  anothers 


THE  HORSE  EDtJCATOIi.  21 

meaning  by  motions  is  very  difficult,  and  we  do 
not  expect  them  to  have  the  reasoning  powers 
which  we  possess,  still  I  do  believe  them  to  be 
reasoning  creatures,  possessing  a  keen  percep- 
tion of  right  and  wrong.  Were  it  not  so,  they 
would  not  so  readily  learn  to  refrain  from  doing 
that  for  which  they  have  been  punished,  or  to 
do  the  bidding  of  those  they  love,  and  by  whom 
they  have  been  caressed.  They  possess  strong 
affections,  and  in  a  degree  manifest  them  in 
accordance  to  the  amount  of  affection  demon- 
strated by  then-  master.  It  is  also  ti'ue,  they 
know  by  instinct  a  good  from  a  cruel  man.  Also 
that  they  are  quite  as  well  aware,  when  being 
driven  by  a  coward,  as  is  the  diiver  himself  or 
herself,  as  the  case  may  be. 

I  have  often  heard  it  remarked  that  a  horse 
might  be  ever  so  gentle,  yet  would  invariably  act 
nervous  when  being  driven  by  a  lady.  Have 
been  asked  why  it  was  ?  It  is  simply  this  :  the 
horse   knows  his   advantage,   and  realizes    her 


22  THE  HORSE   EDUCATOR. 

natural  timidity,  and  when  he  really  ought  to 
act  the  best  is  almost  unmanageable.  But  if  a 
horse  is  in  the  habit  of  being  petted  and  fondled 
by  a  lad}^  he  soon  learns  to  love  and  follow  her, 
demonstrating  the  principle  that  for  himself  love 
is  the  reward. 

The  effects  of  rude  treatment  are  noticeable 
particularly  on  horses  of  a  sensitive,  ambitious 
nature  ;  such  either  fret,  or  are  dangerous  when 
subjected  to  the  management  of  an  impulsive, 
irritable  groom,  though  extremely  docile  and 
safe  to  a  careful,  patient  person.  The  great  ex- 
tremes of  disposition  and  character  in  horses 
show  a  peculiar  adaptation  for  different  purposes 
and  requirements.  The  slow,  dull,  coarse-grained 
horse,  naturally  adapted  for  the  cart  or  plow, 
cannot  bear  the  active  exertion  necessary  to 
great  speed,  while  those  of  a  higher  or  ambitious 
spirit  would  not  submit  patiently  to  this  slow 
drudgery.  No  animal  has  a  keener  intuition  of 
the   feelings,  or   is   more   easily  encouraged  to 


THE  HOESE  EDUCATOR.  23 

viciousness  by  tlie  indications  of  fear,  or  more 
forcibly  held  in  check  by  a  fearless,  confident 
expression  of  manner,  than  the  horse.  It  is  not, 
however,  to  be  inferred  that  not  "being  afraid  of 
a  horse"  is  by  any  means  to  be  considered  fool 
hardiness ;  courage  and  confidence  should  be 
dictated  by  the  danger  slioAvn.  The  expression 
of  the  eye,  action  of  the  ears,  lips,  kc,  indicate 
clearly  the  intentions,  dictating  the  hazard  to  be 
incurred.  Whatever  may  be  the  feelings,  great 
boldness  of  expression  and  action  is  indispens- 
able. This  not  only  aids  in  keeping  resistance 
in  check,  but  under  some  circumstances  may  be 
the  means  of  preserving  life.  The  control  of 
horses  is  like  that  of  an  intricate  but  powerful 
machine,  when  under  the  subjection  of  skillful 
management.  If  horses  be  subjected  to  skillful 
and  prudent  management,  they  will  easily  be 
made  docile  and  controllable  ;  on  the  other  hand, 
subjected  to  rude,  imprudent  treatment,  they  are 
at  once  liable  to  become  unreliable,  hostile  and 


24  THE   HOESE  EDUCATOR. 

impulsive  brutes.  The  generous  reward  of  this 
skill  should  be  an  incentive  to  every  one  to 
acquire  a  correct  knowledge  of  theu'  duty. 

That  there  is  great  loss  of  life  and  many 
lamentable  accidents  almost  daily  in  every 
neighborhood  from  the  use  of  horses  that  are 
dangerously  vicious  and  unmanageable,  cannot 
be  questioned. 

One  horse  will  run  away,  if  given  the  least 
freedom,  another  is  liable  to  kick  himself 
clear  from  the  wagon,  if  a  strap  dangle  against 
his  flanks,  the  breechin  break,  or  any  thing 
of  the  kind  occui's  to  excite  his  fear.  One 
horse  will  baulk,  another  goes  when  and 
where  he  pleases,  generally  pleasing  to  go 
anv  v>'av  but  the  riMit  one.  Another  can 
not  be  harnessed  with  safety,  another  will  kick, 
if  the  re!n  touches  his  hip  or  is  caught  under  the 
tail,  one  will  not  stand,  while  being  mounted,  or 
while  getting  into  the  carriage,  another  will  not 
back,  others  are  fi-ightened  and  shear  and  jump 


THE  HOKSE   EDUCATOR.  25 

at  siglit  of  a  stone,  stump  or  paper  in  the  street, 
Avhile  to  others  an  umbreHa,  raHroad  track  or 
Ijuffalo  robe  are  objects  of  fear.  There  are  but 
a  very  few  horses  which  are  considered  tcell 
hrol'en  that  have  not  some  habits  that  lessen 
their  value. 

It  is  seen  hoAv  easily  I  make  the  Avorst  of 
horses  yield  to  my  control ;  and  if  my  instructions 
are  thoroughly  practiced,  success  must  inevitably 
be  the  result.  As  I  have  heretofore  said,  the 
great  secret  of  taming  horses,  is  first  to  get 
control  of  them.  This  must  be  done  by  fear. 
They  must  be  taught  that  you  can  and  will  be 
their  master.  Nothing  in  this  regard  is  so 
effective  as  throwing  the  horse.  This  has  been 
allowed  for  years  by  all  successful  horsemen 
who  have  j^receded  me. 

The  first  subject  to  which  I  invite  your  at- 
tent  ion  is  the  young,  green  colt.  "Teach  him  in 
his  you  th  the  way  he  should  go,  and  when  he  is 
old  he  will  not  depart  from  it." 


26  THE    HORSE  EDUCATOR. 

^Xe  must  not  permit  the  colt  or  filly  to  go  wild 
ai)d  run  riot  until  it  sliall  hive  attained  its  full 
strength,  its  full  energies  and  the  full  sway  of  its 
natural  ten  per  unconstrained,  without  making  an 
effort  to  train  or  teach  it  unt  1  it  be  tvv'o  or 
three  years  old,  then  take  it  up,  and  saddle 
and  bridle  it  by  force,  and  putting  it  into 
the  hands  of  s.^me  fearless  hard-hearted,  nnit- 
ton-fisted,  rough-riding  fellow,  sarce  less  a  brute 
hi  all  points  of  humanity  than  that  which  ho 
professes  to  teach,  expect  it  to  be  turned 
out  by  hint  of  whip  and  spurs.  A  gentle 
animal  rendered  so  by  brute  Adolence.  The  edu- 
cation of  a  colt  can  hardly  commence  too  young. 
He  should  be  handled  frequently  by  different 
persons,  and  should  be  made  accustomed  to 
whatever  is  likely  to  attract  his  attention  when  he 
is  put  in  harness.  The  more  he  is  accustomed  to 
straps,  the  less  likely  will  he  be  to  become  fright- 
ened l)y  accidental  breaking  of  the  harness,  by 
the    falling  of    a   trace   about  his  heels,  or  by 


THE   HORSE    EDUCATOE.  27 

having  the    reins  ihnnvn    ahout  his  back  by  a 
careless  driver. 

Young  liorses,  while  mere  foals  nursing  by 
their  mother's  sides,  should  be  accustomed  to  be 
fearless;  to  iced  from  the  hand,  to  suffer  them- 
selves to  be  handled,  to  have  their  feet  handled, 
lifted  and  taped  with  the  hands  or  a  hammer  on 
the  soles,  to  be  led  to  and  fro  by  the  forelock,  to 
endure  the  pressure  of  the  hand  on  the  back,  to 
rejoice  in  being  flattered,  caressed  and  spoken  to. 
They  should  be  very  early  equiped  with  a  head- 
stall, haying  a  ring  appended  to  which  a  holder 
can  be  attached,  and  by  these  means  they  can 
be  easily  taught  to  follow  at  any  pace ;  the  person 
leading  them  may  adopt  walking,  running,  or 
st(^pping  as  he  may  desire.  Punishment  at  this 
period  should  never  be  resorted  to,  but  rewards 
should  he  continually  offered.  Carry  in  3'our 
pocket  bits  of  sugar,  or  apples,  and  give  to 
the  little  creature  with  a  caress,  when  it  has 
done  wliat  is  required  of  it, 


28  THE  HORSE  EDUCATOR. 

Soon  after  this  a  pad  may  be  strapped  on  the 
back  for  a  few  hoiu's  daily,  and  after  a  time 
stirrup  leathers,  and  their  stirrups  appended  to 
them,  and  suffered  to  play  about,  by  which  means 
all  fear  of  such  things  will  be  removed  long  enough 
before  it  will  become  necessary  to  saddle  him  for 
any  real  purpose.  When  he  is  about  a  year  old 
the  colt's  bits  should  be  occasionally  put  in  his 
mouth,  and  he  should  be  rained  up  gently  to  the 
surcingle  and  allowed  to  play  with  them,  or  mouth 
them  ;  and  after  this  he  may  stand  for  an  hour  or 
two  between  the  pillars  with  the  rein  attached  from 
the  colt's  bit  to  rings  placed  at  a  proper  height 
in  the  standards.  But  here  it  is  necesary  to  ob- 
serve, above  almost  anything  in  the  world,  that 
it  is  fatal  to  the  formation  of  the  animal's  mouth  to 
place  the  rings  too  high,  or  to  bear  up  the  head 
above  its  ordinary  and  natural  elevation.  This  is 
a  thing  often  done  with  a  view  to  giving  a  loftj^ 
carriage  to  the  colt's  head,  and  produce  a  proud 
bearing.     It  does  nothing  of  the   kind.     It  cau- 


THE   HOESE  EDUCATOE.  *  29 

ses  the  liorse,  weary  ^vitll  liavin^  its  head  forced 
into  an  unnatural  position,  to  bear,  to  weigh,  to 
hang  upon  the  bits, — to  become  accustomed  to 
their  pressure,  and  to  find  pleasure  instead  of 
pain  from  it,  so  that  at  the  last,  it  acquires  a 
mouth  perfectly  unimpressive  and  muscles  set 
and  rigid. 

Shortly  after  this  the  colt  should  be  worked  in 
a  circle,  Avith  a  long  cord  attached  to  the  break" 
ing-bits  in  a  smooth  grass  field,  by  which  means 
he  is  taught  his  paces,  taught  to  regulate  them, 
taught  to  moderate,  to  increase  or  diminish  his 
speed,  to  change  his  leg,  to  come  toward  the 
operator,  or  to  stop  dead  short  at  a  signal  either 
of  the  voice  or  crack  of  the  whip.  For  this  it 
requires  onl}^  time,  patience  and  good  temj^er  to 
efiect,  and  when  effected,  half  the  business  is 
done. 

No  attempt  should  be  made,  to  i:>ut  the  colt 
to  work  before  he  is  three  and  a  half  to  four 
years   old,  and   it  would  be  far  better  to  exact 


30  THE     HORSE   EDUCATOE. 

no  work,  beyond  what  is  necessary  for  gentle 
exercise,  before  lie  is  six  years  old,  this  although 
not  at  first  remunerative,  is  eminently  so  in  the 
end.  For  the  two  years  loss  in  early  life  vn\l  gen- 
erally add  six  to  eight  years  to  a  horsa's  working 
time.  A  colt,  educated  according  to  the  preceding 
remarks,  will  not  need  the  treatment  contained 
in  the  next  chapter,  but  as  all  colts  are  not  edu- 
cated when  young,  it  is  necessary  that  I  giye  a 
method  by  whicli  they  can  1  )e  brought  under  per- 
fect control. 


THE    COLT   AND    HIS   MANAGEMENT. 

The  first  step  to  be  taken  is  to  see  that  the  L  t 
or  yard  in  which  you  intend  to  handle  him,  is 
clear  from  all  obstacles,  v.hieli  might  injure  or 
serve  to  attract  his  attention,  as  it  is  natural  for 
a  colt  to  le  attracted  by  all  domestic  animals, 
they  should  hp  driven  from  the  enclosure,  also  all 


THE    HORSE  EDUCATOE.  31 

persons  except  the  one  undertaking  his  manage- 
ment: This  precaution  should  be  taken  for  two 
reasons,  first :  they  woukl  attract  his  attention  and 
direct  his  mind  from  you,  and  secondly  by  per- 
mitting the  presence  of  any  one  not  a  member  of 
my  class  would  violate  your  contract. 


32  THE   HORSE  EDUCATOR. 


TO  HALTER-BEEAK  A  WILD  COLT. 


'pHE  first  object  being  to  halter  the  colt.  If 
Jfc  he  is  not  very  wild,  you  can  easily  do  this 
by  working  np  to  the  head ;  by  scratching 
the  neck  shp  the  halter  on  the  head.  Should 
he  seem  vicious,  this  may  be  difficult  to  do, 
if  not  dangerous,  and  one  of  the  most  im- 
portant requisites  is  to  guard  against  injury 
either  to  yourself  or  horse,  and  at  the  same 
time  to  accomplish  your  work  most  easily  and 
surely.  Your  best  way  of  procedure  is  as  follov/s  : 
Take  a  small  pole,  ten  to  fifteen  feet  long,  more 
or  lem  as  you  may  find  it  necessary  to  safety ; 


THE  HORSE   EDUCATOR.  33 

drive  an  eight  penny  nail  three  to  four  inches 
from  the  end  into  the  stick,  and  another  nail  from 
ten  to  twelve  inches   from  the  first  one,  take  a 
common  rope  halter  with  a  running- noose,  pull 
the  part  that  slips  through  the  noose  back  about 
one  foot,  then  hang  the  part  that  goes  over  the 
head  upon  the  nails,  with  the  hitching-part  held 
in    your    hanels    with    the    pole,  your  halter  is 
so    opened   and   hung    on    the   nails   as  to   be 
easily  placed  upon  the  head.     If  the  colt  is  no+ 
too  much  excited,  he  is  easily  attracted  to  notice 
anything  new^   to   him;   he  has  no   way  of  ex- 
amining objects   but  by  his  nose,  and  so  he  is 
prompted  to  smell  and  feel  of  things,  consequently 
you  will  find  upon  reaching  out  the  halter  gently 
hung  (as  above)  upon  the  end  of  the  pole,  he  will 
reach  out  to  smell  of  it,  and  w^liile   he  is  grati- 
fying his    curiosity  in  this  way  you  can   easily 
raise  the  stick  high  enough  to  bring  the  halter 
over  and  back  of  the  ears,  when  by  turning  the 
stick  round  the  halter  will  drop  from  it  upon  the 


34  THE  HOESE  EDUCATOE. 

head.   This  may  startle  him  some  and  cause  him 
to  run  from  you,  but  by  doing  so  the  slack  of 
the  halter  passing  under    the  jaw  through  the 
noose  will  draw  up  and  the  halter  is  on  the  head 
safely.   Your  colt  now  being  haltered,  your  next 
object  is    to  teach  him  to   submit  to  its    re- 
straint.  Stand  about  on  a  line  with  the  shoulder, 
but  some  distance  from  him  and  give  a  sharp, 
quick  pull  towards  you,  but  instantly  slack  up 
on  the  halter.     You  have  the  gi'eatest  advantage 
from  this  position  and  by  adroitly  following  up 
this  advantage,  not  attempting  to  pull  upon  the 
colt  when  he  attempts  to  inin  back  from  you,  he 
will  soon,  by  a  few  sharp  pulls  in  this  way,  learn 
to  feel  and  submit  to  the  force  of  your  power. 
As  soon  as  he  will  permit  you  to    approach 
and  loosen  the  noose  from  his  neck,  using  kind 
words,  caress  and  let  him  know  you  do  not  wish 
to  hurt  him,  continue  to  caress  him  till  he  will 
permit  you  to  rub  his  neck  and  ears,  encourage 
him  by  feeding  apples  and  sugar  from    your 
hand, 


TfiE  H0R3E  EDUCATOR.  35 

When  he  submits  so  far  as  to  let  you  handle 
his  head,  put  on  him  the  Bonaparte  or  Camanche 
bridle,  made  in  the  following  manner :  You 
should  have  the  best  manilla  three  thread  rope, 
made  small  and  strong ;  of  this  take  20  feet,  tie  a 
hard-knot  in  one  end  of  it  and  a  loose  knot  far 
enough  from  the  end  to  reach  around  the  colt's 
neck,  pass  the  hard-knot  through  the  loose  one, 
draw  it  up  tight,  tuck  the  middle  of  the  rope 
under  the  one  around  the  neck,  making  a  loop 
which  you  pass  up  through  the  mouth,  keeping 
the  end  of  the  rope  in  your  hand.  A  green  colt 
is  not  bad  about  taking  anything  in  his  mouth 
if  judgment  is  used,  and  do  not  frighten 
him;  sHp  the  loop  up  well  over  the  jaws  un- 
der the  roof  of  his  mouth,  draw  up  on  the 
loop,  and  take  off  the  halter  you  first  had 
around  his  neck  entirely,  by  taking  hold  of  the 
end  of  the  cord  you  will  find  you  now  have 
a  means  of  power  in  your  hands,  which  will 
enable  you  to  control  the  strongest  animal  with 


36  THE   HORSi:  EDUCATOR. 

ease  and  safety,  and  I  believe  tlie  Bonaparte 
bridle  and  its  value  in  managing  and  training 
colts  cannot  be  over  estimated  when  used  "with 
judgment  and  handled  with  adroitness  and 
skiU. 

It  should  never  be  used  so  harshly  as  to  excite 
extreme  pain,  and  yet  with  a  touch  that  causes 
fear  of  resistance.  If  he  should  endeavor  to  iim 
away  from  you,  give  him  a  quick,  sharp 
jerk,  and  at  the  same  time  say  "ho!"  al- 
ways giving  him  the  command  before  jerk- 
ing on  the  cord,  repeat  this  treatment  as 
often  as  he  may  make  the  attempt  to  get 
away,  when  he  stoj^s,  go  up  to  him  and  caress  him 
about  the  head;  when  he  gives  ujd  to  the  rope, 
enough  so  that  he  does  not  try  to  get  away, 
proceed  to  teach  him  to  lead  with  your  rope  in 
hand,  ste]^  back  to  his  side  opposite  his  hips,  and 
sa}^,  come  here !  at  the  same  time  give  him  a 
quick,  sharp  pull  with  the  halter,  he  will  swing 
round  towards  you,  and  if  he  only  takes  one  step 


THE   HOESE   EDUCATOR.  37 

in  the  right  direction,  show  him  by  a  caress  that 
he  has  done  what  you  desired  of  him.  Continue 
to  caress  him  for  every  step  taken  in  the  right 
direction,  and  he  will  very  soon  learn  to  follow 
you  at  the  vrord. 

If  the  colt  is  willful  and  stubborn,  handle  him 
with  the  Camanche  bridle  until  he  will  stand 
quietly,  then  take  your  strap  (previously  pro- 
vided) in  the  right  hand,  holding  by  the  buckle, 
commence  raising  the  foot  next  to  you,  if  he 
resists  your  efforts,  reprove  him  with  the  halter. 
Continue  your  efforts  till  you  can  take  the  foot 
in  your  hand,  then  slip  the  strap  around  below 
the  fetlock  ;  putting  the  end  through  the  keeper 
on  the  inside  of  the  buckle,  draw  it  up  tight,  so 
it  will  not  slip  up,  then  pass  the  strap  through 
between  the  horse  and  surcingle,  and  fasten  it 
to  the  surcingle  by  buckling. 

By  putting  him  on  three  legs,  he  can  offer  but 
Blight  resistance  when  pulled  hj  the  head  side- 
ways, and  will  come  around   as  readily  with  hia 


88  THE    HORSE  EDUCATOB. 

legs  froe  as  lie  will  with  one  srtapped  up.  Step 
back  on  a  line  Avith  the  hips,  holding  the  halter 
firmly  in  your  hand,  and  say,  come  here !  He,  of 
course,  does  not  come,  so  you  pull  on  the 
bridle  and  he  is  obHged  to  swing  round  to  you. 
Step  round  to  the  other  side  and  repeat,  bring 
him  round  by  the  halter  each  time,  till  when  he 
hears  the  words,  come  here,  he  will  obey  readily. 
As  soon  as  the  colt  submits  to  this  step,  remove 
the  strap  from  his  leg  and  rub  the  foot  gentl}'- 
where  the  strap  has  been.  Step  back,  and  as 
before,  say  come  here !  if  he  does  not  come 
readily,  give  him  a  sharp,  quick  pull  with  the 
rope,  which  shows  him  you  can  handle  him  as 
well  on  four  legs  as  on  three  ;  continue  to  caress 
him  for  every  step  forward  till  he  follows  readily. 


THE    HoPiSE  EDUCATOIL 


nOAV    TO    BIT    A    COLT   AND    MAKE    A 
BKIDLE. 

(See  Engraving  payii  A!2.) 


^^j^ipHE  object  aimed  at  in  bitting  a  liorse  is  to 
Sb  gi^e  an  easy  position  yvith  a  liigli  and  gTace- 
ful  carriage  of  the  head  ;  and,  in  our  efforts  to  do 
this,  we  must  be  careful  not  to  give  him  a  dead 
bearing  on  the  bit,  or  make  him  what  is  usually 
known  as  a  lugger.  All  the  bitting  rigs  which 
we  have  examined,  and  especially  the  English 
made,  are  objectional  as  having  a  tendency  to 
produce  this  bad  result.     The  rig  which  we  here 


40  THE   HOESE  EDUCATOE. 

give  3'oii,  is  entirely  free  from  this  objection,  and 
is  better  calculated  to  produce  the  desired  result 
of  ease  and  gracefulness,  than  any  ever  before 
presented  to  the  public.  Our  rig,  instead  of 
bearing  on  the  jawbones,  whenever  the  horse 
presses  his  weight  u^^on  the  bit,  producing  a 
calloused  jaw  and  indifference  to  the  bit,  con- 
tracts the  side  muscles  of  the  cheeks  on  the  molar 
teeth  with  a  pain  the  horse  cannot  endure ;  he 
hfts  his  head,  the  bit  falls  on  the  side  rein,  and 
the  mouth  is  at  once  relieved.  Practice  has 
shown  that  horses  bitted  with  this  rig  soon  ac- 
quire the  habit  of  gently  and  gi-acefully  raising 
the  head,  with  that  occasional  toss,  or  upv>-ard 
and  downward  motion  and  pla^'ing  with  the  bit, 
which  is  the  perfection  of  beauty  in  a  carriage 
horse  while  standing  in  the  harness. 

It  is  not  possible  for  a  horse  with  our  rig,  to 
become  a  "lugger  ;"  this  bit  never  bears  upon  the 
jawbone  with  more  than  a  light  pressure,  and 
when  he  attempts  to  rest  his  head  iipon  the  bit, 


THE   HORSE  EDUCATOR.  41 

the  pressure  on  the  teeth  causes  him  to  desist 
and  elevate  the  head.  He  soon  dreads  to  rest 
upon  the  bit,  and  of  his  own  free  will,  without 
the  force  of  the  rein,  carries  it  up  with  freedom 
and  ease. 


42 


THE   HORSE   EDUCATOE. 


COLT  T\  EAEIXG  OUE  BITTIXG  EIG. 


SUR  mode  of  bittiu<j:  a  colt  is  to  put  on  him 
our  bridle  witliout  reins,  and  tiu'n  liim  loose. 
Po   this  a  few  times  until  lie  is  familiari?5e4  to 


THE   HORSE  EDUCATOR.  43 

the  bit,  whicli  sliould  be  large,  say  an  incli  in 
diameter  at  the  end,  and  tapering  to  half  an 
inch  at  the  joint,  and  short,  not  more  than  five 
inches,  between  the  crossbars,  should  have  a 
tongue-plate  and  drops.  The  crossbars  should 
be  stout  and  six  inches  long,  the  rings  two 
inches  in  diameter,  the  whole  bit  well  plated  or 
tinned. 

Take  a  gagrunner  bndle  without  blinders, 
put  in  the  bit  I  have  described,  if  one  can  be  had, 
if  not,  get  a  jointed  bit  as  nearly  like  it  as  you 
can.  Fasten  to  the  head  part  of  the  bridle  either  a 
leather  strap,  or  a  common  bedcord,  pass  it  down 
through  the  bit,  and  up  through  the  gag-runners, 
let  it  be  long  enough  to  pass  back  to  and  a  little 
beyond  the  girth.  Take  a  common  surcingle, 
fasten  pads  to  the  back  to  prevent  its  turning, 
put  on  it  three  loops  of  leather — one  at  the 
centre  of  the  back  and  one  on  each  side.  The 
one  on  the  back  should  be  lengthwise  of  the 
surcingle,  with  a  space  about  two  inches  long. 


44  THE    HORSE   EDUCATOR. 

and  so  tBat  when  the  girth  is  buckled,  you  can 
freely  pass  your  three  fingers  into  it.  Those  on 
the  side  should  be  put  on  double,  like  boot  straps. 
Make  the  loops  an  inch  and  a  half  or  two  inches 
long ;  get  a  common  crupper  and  backstrap, 
let  the  centre  of  the  gag-reins  be  passed 
through  the  loop  on  the  back ;  they  will  show  a 
loop  behind  the  girth,  into  this  fasten  the  back- 
strap  from  the  crupper  so  that  you  can  tighten 
and  elevate  the  head  as  wanted.  Then  take  two 
other  cords,  fasten  one  end  of  each  to  the  crup- 
per, pass  one  down  on  each  side  through  the 
loop  on  the  girth,  and  tie  the  end  into  the  ring 
of  the  bridle-bit.  The  manner  in  which  it  is  put 
on  and  worn,  is  shown  in  figure  given  above,  the 
colt  being  very  gently  reined  in. 


THE  HORSE  EDUCATOR,  46 


BREAKING  COLTS  TO  HARNESS. 


FUT  on  your  harness  carefully,  after  first 
having  it  made  to  fit  well,  being  made  strong 
and  safe  in  every  part.  Never,  on  any  account, 
drive  a  colt  in  an  unsafe  harness,  or  before  a 
vehicle  liable  to  break  down.  As  many  of  the 
bad  habits  horses  have  are  the  result  of  im- 
prudent proceedings.  After  applying  the  harness 
allow  the  colt  to  stand  in  his  stall,  or  walk  about 
the  yard  for  half  or  three  quarters  of  an  hour,  till 
he  becomes  used  to  the  pressure  of  the  difierent 
parts,  and  does  not  notice  the  rattling,  or  care 


46  THE    HOESE  EDrcATOR. 

for  its  presence.  As  soon  as  lie  seems  perfectly 
quiet,  clieck  him  up  loosely,  anclclriye  liim  about 
the  3'ard.  So  soon  as  ho  becomes  familiar  to  the 
check  and  reins,  and  '^'ill  stop  and  start  at  the 
vrord,  and  drive  to  the  right  and  left,  it  is  safe 
to  drive  him  in  the  street ;  always  putting  on  the 
Camanche  or  Bonaparte  bridle  for  safety.  I  con- 
sider a  sulky  preferable  at  first.  Let  the  colt 
smell  and  examine  ever}'  part,  to  show  him  it 
is  not  an  object  of  fear,  draw  it  up  behind  him, 
rattling  and  lunning  it  back  and  forth  before 
attaching  the  harness.  Before  starting  him, 
back  him  up  against  the  cross-bar  of  the  shafts. 
In  case  he  acts  fi^ightened,  speak  calmly  and 
firmly,  at  the  same  time  holding  the  reins  tight 
to  pr<ivent  him  from  swinging  round.  Should  he 
be  so  disposed,  then  go  up  to  him  and  caress 
him  till  he  is  again  quiet.  Then  run  the  sulky 
against  his  haunches,  at  the  same  time  soothing 
him  by  kind  words  till  you  can  push  the  sulky 
about  him  as  you  please,  and  he  care  nothing 


I'HE  HORSE    EDUCATOlL  47 

about  it.  Ton  can  tlien  take  your  seat  in  the 
vehicle,  and  drive  him  wherever  yon  choose 
without  danger.  Let  him  go  slow  at  first,  to 
become  familiar  Avith  the  objects  along  the  road, 
liable  to  cause  fear. 


48  THE  HOESE  EDUCATOR. 


OBJECTS  OF  FEAE. 


^N  driving,  be  careful  not  to  make  too  free  use 


Jbof  the  whip.  If  objects  which  jou  are  obliged 
to  pass  are  regarded  by  the  horse  with  fear, 
never  urge  him  to  pass  them  fast,  or  excite  him 
by  using  the  whip.  Let  him  stand  and  look  at 
the  object,  and  drive  him  as  close  as  convenient, 
allowing  him  to  smell  of  it,  and  see  that  no  harm 
is  intended  him  ;  at  the  same  time  talk  encourag- 
ingly to  him,  and  in  this  manner  he  will  soon  be 
fearless  and  confident,  as  well  as  regai»dless  of 
such  things.  Should  you,  on  the  other  hand, 
whip  him  for  becoming  frightened  at  such  things, 
he  will  be  apt  to  associate  the  punishment  wdth 
the  object  of  fear  and  be  more  frightened  the 
next  time  he  sees  it. 


THE  HORSE  EDUCATOR.  49 


TO  KECONCILE  THE  COLT  TO  A  EOBE. 


*IRST,  while  held  under  careful  restraint  (bj 
the  use  of  the  war-bridle),  let  the  robe  be 
brought  up  gently  to  the  colt's  nose.  After  per- 
mitting him  to  feel  and  smell  of  it  till  satisfied 
it  is  harmless,  rub  it  gently  against  its  head, 
neck  and  body,  the  way  his  hair  la^^s,  as  he  will 
permit.  Then,  stepping  off  a  short  distance' 
throw  it  across  his  back,  over  the  neck  and  head, 
till  you  can  throw  the  robe  around  him  anywhere 
^nd-it  is  no  longer  an  object  of  fear, 


50  THE   HORSE   EDUCATOR. 


TO  OYEECOME  FEAE  OF  AN  UMBEELLA. 


>HILE  holding  the  colt,  as  before,  Tvith  the 
bridle,  briug  the  umbrella  toward  hira,  and 
allow  him  to  smell  of  it  a  little,  rub  it  against 
his  head  and  body,  spread  it  a  little,  and  con- 
tinue to  caress  him  till  you  can  raise  it  over  his 
head,  and  pass  it  around  him  as  you  please 
without  exciting  fear.  This  same  proceeding  is 
apphcable  under  all  circumstances.  Even  as  it  is 
said  that  "familiarity  breeds  contempt,"  it  may 
be  said  of  the  colt  in  regard  to  objects  of  fear. 
Let  him  approach  near  enough  to  the  dreaded 
article  and  he  ignores  the  idea  of  being  afraid 
of  it.     In  the  case  of  the  colt's  becoming  fami2ia:r 


■     THE   HORSE   EDUCATOR.  51 

with  the  cars,  he  should  be  led  to  them  often, 
and  permitted  to  remain  about  them.  At  first, 
when  they  are  not  in  motion,  and  then  again 
when  they  are  moA'ing.  And  in  this  way  con- 
tinue till  he  is  familiar  with  them.  In  any 
event,  do  not  fail  to  repeat  3'our  lessons  till  your 
object  is  attained. 


52  THE  HORSE  EDUCATOR. 


TEACHING  THE  COLT  TO  BACK. 


WHEN  the  colt  drives  well  to  the  reins,  he 
_^_^  should  be  taught  to  back.  This  brings  in 
use  again  the  Camanche-bridle.  Should  he  act 
Ktubborn  .after  using  it  a  few  moments,  reverse 
hj  putting  the  large  loop  over  his  neck,  which 
will  touch  him  more  sharply.  If  the  colt  should 
become  warm  after  a  lesson  of  five  or  ten 
minutes,  stop  and  repeat  the  lesson  any  time 
after  he  becomes  cool  and  quiet.  The  colt  will 
soon  learn  to  back  prompt^.  You  may  now 
put  on  reins  and  teach  him  to  back  by  being 
pulled  upon  from  behind.  The  lesson  should 
be    repeated    till    the    colt    is    prompt    in    his 


l^HE  HORSE  EDUCATOR.  53 

obedience.  He  may  now  be  backed  to  a  wagon, 
but  at  first  on  a  slightly  descending  grade,  grad- 
ually requiring  more  of  liim  till  lie  will  obey 
promptly. 

The  same  is  applicable  in  teaching  a  colt  to 
draw  a  load.  You  can  gradually  increase  the 
amount  till  he  will  draw  to  the  extent  of  his 
ability,  without  comprehending  that  he  has 
power  to  do  otherwise. 

After  your  horse  is  educated  to  the  use  of 
the  harness,  you  may  either  allow  him  to  carry 
his  head  as  nature  may  dictate,  or  by  the 
use  of  the  check-rein  bring  his  neck  into  such 
position  of  style  as  you  may  fancy.  I  once 
heard  a  friend  say  that  he  tamed  a  very  young 
colt  to  step  upon  a  shelf  or  box  (arranged  about 
a  foot  above  the  stable  floor),  with  his  fore  feet, 
and  reach  for  and  eat  his  oats  from  a  box,  placed 
high  enough,  so  that  he  must  stretch  his  neck, 
and  bend  down  his  head  to  procure  his  food. 
This  practiced  three  times  each  day,  while  he 


04:  THE  HOESE    EDtCATOR. 

was  growing  fasfc,  gave  a  natural  curve  to  his 
neck,  maldng  him  much  admired  and  of  more 
than  ordinary  vahie,  by  one  hundred  dollars. 
These  little  ideas,  if  carried  into  practice,  will 
repay  one  for  their  time  and  trouble,  maldng  an 
otherwise  ordinary  looking  colt,  give  an  imposing 
appearance,  to  gratify  the  pride  of  his  owner, 
as  well  as  bring  an  advanced  price  when  a  sale 
is  desirable.  It  is  a  true  maxim  :  "As  the  twig 
is  bent,  so  is  the  tree  inclined." 


THE  HOPtSE    EDLX'ATOR.  55 


TREATMENT  OF  YICIOUS  HORSES. 


f^T  is  my  desire  tlirougliout  tliis  Look,  to  im- 
_^press  it  upon  the  reader's  m^nd,  that  colts  are 
not  naturally  licious,  and  horses  are  only  so 
through  mismanagement  when  colts.  I  must 
now  proceed  to  teach  you  how  to  conquer  vicious 
horses,  and  cure  them  of  their  faults.  This  is 
an  easy  matter,  requii'ing  time,  perseverance 
and  patience.  I  hare  never  failed  to  cure  the 
worst  of  horses  in  a  short  space  of  time,  in  from 
one  to  three  lessons,  according  to  the  degree  of 
their  vicionsness? 


56  THE   HOESE    EDUCATOR. 


FOR  BAULKY  HORSES. 


*His  liabit  tries  the  patience  of  man  more 
(^^  tlian  any  other,  yet  by  patience  and  tact  it 
may  be  broken  up.  Horses  with  this  habit  are 
usually  high  -  spirited  and  of  a  neryous  temper- 
ament. They  resist,  because  we  haye  failed  to 
make  them  understand  what  we  require  of  them, 
or  it  may  be  from  a  sore  shoulder.  Oyer-loading, 
or  working  till  tired  out,  is  particularly  the  cause 
with  young  animals.  To  wliip,  under  such  cir- 
cumstances, only  excites  them  to  more  deter- 
mined resistance.  On  the  first  attempt  of  your 
horse  to  baulk,  get  out  of  the  wagon,  pat  him 
on  the  neck,  examine  the  harness  carefully,  first 
on  one  side,  then  on  the  other.  Encourage  him 
at  the  same  time  with  kind  words,  and  again 
reseat  yourself  in  the  yehicle.  and  giye  the  word. 


THE   HORSE    EDUCATOR.  o7 

go  :  generall}',  lie  will  obey.  If  he  is  still  ob- 
stinate, take  him  from  tlie  carriage,  j^ut  up  the 
traces,  so  they  will  not  drag  on  the  ground,  take 
him  by  the  head  and  tail,  reel  him  round,  till 
almost  ready  to  fall.  This  -seldom  fails  to  bring 
about  the  desired  result.  By  rej^eating  these 
lessons  each  day  for  a  week  usually  breaks  up 
this  most  perplexing  habit  thoroughly  and 
lastingly. 

Another  method,  advisable  to  break  a  baulky 
horse  in  double  harness,  is  to  take  a  hemp  cord, 
pass  a  round  under  the  tail,  bring  forward 
through  the  tenet-ring  of  the  baulky  horse,  and 
fasten  to  the  other  horse's  haim.  Thus,  when 
he  starts  the  baulky-one  can  do  no  other  way 
than  to  move  with  him,  and  in  a  short  time,  if 
he  is  hitched  single  or  double,  by  taking  your 
whip  or  common  stick  and  put  on  the  back  of 
the  crupper  strap,  the  horse  will  start  readily. 

In  the  following  chapter  I  w^ill  explain  how 
I  throw  a  horse,  making  him  lay  down  quietly, 


58 


THE  HOUSE    EDUCATOR. 


and  almost  as  easily  as  when  by  liimself  in  the 
stall.  It  can  be  done  with  perfect  safety.  And 
whatever  may  be  the  vice  to  which  your  horse 
is  addicted,  it  is  a  good  plan  to  give  him  a  course 
of  training  by  throwing  him  and  handling  him 
just  as  you  please,  when  down,  demonstrating 
to  him  that  it  is  worse  than  useless  to  resist 
control.  It  is  also  the  best  way  to  handle  and 
manage  nervous  horses  I  have  ever  tried.     After 


having  been  handled  gently,  when  down,  their 
fear  passes  away,  and  you  can  do  with  them  just 
as  you  please. 


THE    HOBSE  EDUCATOIt.  50 


HOW  TO  THROAY  THE  HOESE. 


f|LACE  upon  the  animal  a  strong  surcingle, 
about  three  inches  back  of  the  fore  legs;  con- 
nected with  this  must  be  a  strong  crupper.  There 
must  be  a  strong  ring  about  one  inch  in  diameter 
at  the  top  of  the  surcingle,  or  rope  in  the  centre 
of  the  back,  and  another  one  upon  the  right 
side  in  the  centre.  This  being  adjusted,  proceed 
to  strap  up  the  left  fore  leg  as  follows  {See  en- 
graving j^-  58).  Take  a  common  quarter  strap,  pass 
it  two  or  three  times  around  the  leg  between 
the  coffin  and  postern  joints,  and  then  buckle  the 
leg  close  up  to  the  belly.     Place  around  the 


eo 


THE    H0R8E    EDUCATOR. 


horse's  neck  a  ^  inch  rope  (or  |)  loosely,  fixing 
the  knot  so  it  will  not  slip,  bring  the  end  down 
the  near  side  of  the  head,  and  through  the 
mouth,  back  on  the  off  side  through  either 
of  the  rings  in  the  surcingle.  The  one  in  the 
centre  of  the  side,  if  the  first  time  throwing 
will    give    3^ou  greater    control    with    less     ex- 


ertion. Upon  pulHng  on  the  rope,  standing  in 
any  position,  the  horse  must  come  upon  his 
side,  and  without  injury. 


THE    HORSE  EDUCATOR.  61 

In  practice,  all  will  perceive  the  decided  ad- 
vantage OA'er  any  other  system.  The  operation 
must  be  repeated  fiom  ten  to  twenty  times,  or 
until  the  horse  seems  entirely  disgusted  with  the 
controversy.  This  operation,  if  properly  con- 
ducted, will  have  resulted  in  the  obtaininf' 
control  of  the  horse,  and  in  his  willingness  to 
be  accommodating  at  least.  The  next  thing  is 
to  teach  him  the  meaning  of  the  word,  tvJioa ! 
and  to  obey  it  when  spoken  to  him  as  a  com- 
mand. This  also  breaks  him  to  the  bridle. 
Place  in  his  mouth  (the  cissors,  or  W  bit,  with 
head  stall  and  Hnes  attached  (an  ordinary  bit 
will  do,  though  the  one  named  is  preferable,  as 
being  more  secure) ;  now  let  the  horse  walk  off 
a  few  feet,  twelve  or  twenty,  and  all  at  once  jerk 
with  all  your  force,  accompanying  the  action 
with  the  word,  whoa!  "WTien  he  stops,  step  to 
his  side  and  caress  him.  This  repeated  eight 
or  ten  times  will  teach  the  horse  lastingly  the 
word  and  the  meaning.    You  must  say,  whoa! 


62  THE  HOr.SE    EDrCATOn. 

just  before  you  pull.  This  treatment  of  the 
horse  must  be  repeated,  if  at  any  time  he  grows 
restive,  aiid  seems  indisposed  to  obey  the  com- 
mand. Sometimes  an  occasional  jerk  preceded 
with  the  command,  and  an  ordinary  bit  is  suf- 
ficient to  refresh  his  memory  on  the  subject. 
This  method  is  also  effectual  in  breaking  up  the 
habit  of  kicking.  For  this  habit  I  sometimes 
use  a  link  bit,  neycr  before  presented  to  the 
public.  It  is  made  of  six  links,  each  link  one 
inch  in  length,  making  a  chain  of  near  six  in- 
ches long.  Place  at  each  end  of  this  a  2J  inch 
ring  {See  enjravinrj  of  Mcldng  rig).  With  the 
aid  of  this  treatment  you  can  cure  the  worst  of 
kickers.  And  horses  in  the  habit  of  running 
away,  can  usually  be  cured  in  one  lesson,  thus 
preyenting  accidents  for  the  future.  It  is  by 
this  process  of  teaching,  that  horses  arc  driven 
without  headstall  or  bridle: 


THE  HORSE  EDUCATOE. 


63 


TO  CUEE  A  HALTEE  PULLEE. 


^LACE  on  him  a  common  head  stall,  pnt  on 
him  a  girth,  take  a  ^th  inch  rope,  16  feet 
long,  pass  the  centre  of  this  rope  under  the  tail  in 
place  of  a  cmpper,  .twist  this  rope  over  a  couple 

3 


64  THE    HOKSE  EDUCATOR. 

of  times,  pass  the  ends  under  the  girtli  ujDon 
each  side  of  tlie  neck,  and  pass  the  ends  through 
the  noose  piece  of  the  head  stall  under  the  cheek 
piece  (see  engraving),  and  tie  to  a  strong 
post,  leaving  three  feet  play  of  the  rope.  Strike 
him  with  a  bag.  As  soon  as  the  horse  pulls  back, 
he  being  tied  by  the  tail  to  the  post,  the  hurt 
comes  there,  and  not  on  the  head  as  he  expected; 
he  starts  up.  For  this  you  caress  him,  and  if 
these  instructions  are  followed  up  a  few  times 
he  is  cured  (See  engraving  No.  4). 


THE    HORSE  EDUCATOR.  65 


PAWING  IN  STALL. 


ROCURE  a  x^iece  of  chain  ten  inches  in 
Jl^  length,  nm  a  short  strap  through  one  of 
the  end  Hnks,  and  buckle  it  around  the  foot 
above  the  fetlock.  When  the  horse  attempts 
to  paw  or  kick,  the  chain  rattles  againsi  the 
foot  and  prevents  a  repetition  of  the  practice. 


C6  THE  HOESE  EDUCATOB. 


A  NEW  METHOD  OF  BEEAKING  A 
KICKEE. 


^HEow  tlie  horse  (according  to  direction 
previously  given)  from  ten  to  twenty  times, 
till  lie  is  quiet,  strike  him  lightly  with  j-our  foot 
Avhen  down,  below  where  the  breeching  comes, 
to  tame  him,  and  cure  him  of  being  afi'aid  to 
be  touched  around  the  hind  2:>arts.  Then  let 
him  up  and  back   him  into  the  two  wheeled  rif^- 

o 


THE   HOESE    EDUCATOR.  67 

If  he  still  continues  to  kick,  put  on  the  kicking 
rig,  as  shoT\-n  to  you  in  the  en.qraving. 


When  this  rig  is  put  on,  it  punishes  the 
norse  in  the  mouth,  diverting  his  attention 
from  his  heels. 

First  attach  a  rope  to  the  bridle  bit  ring  on 
the  near  side,  then  pass  it  over  the  head  through 
the  oil'  bit  ring,  then  down  between  his  fore 
legs  through  under  the  belly  band,  and  fasten 


68  THE   HOESE    EDUCATOE. 

to  a  pulley.  Attach  another  rope  to  the  oft' 
bridle  bit  ring  over  the  head  through  the 
near  side  bit  ring,  then  pass  it  between  the 
fore  legs  to  the  pulley  and  fasten.  Now  put 
on  straps  above  and  .below  the  gambol  joint 
on  each  hind  leg  with  a  ring  in  the  straps. 
Attach  a  rope  to  the  ring  on  the  near  hind 
leg  and  pass  it  through  the  pulley  to  the  off' 
hind  leg.  This  is  so  the  horse  can  Avalk  or 
trot  in  a  natural  position. 


THE  HORSE    EDUCATOR.  69 


TO   HAEDEN   A  TENDEE  MOUTHED 
HOESE. 


iPROP  the  bits  in  the  animal's  mouth  as 
>low  as  possible,  and  not  have  them  drop 
out,  and  drive  him  from  two  to  three  weeks 
with  the  bits  in  this  way,  and  when  they  are 
buckled  up  in  proper  place  he  is  hard 
mouthed. 


70  THE    HOESE   EDUCATOE. 


LOLLING  THE  TONGUE. 


^oME  horses  have  the  habit  of  carrying  the 
tongue  out  of  the  side  of  the  mouth.  This 
is  generally  confined  to  a  narrow  jawed  horse. 
The  space  between  the  molar  teeth  being  too 
narrow  to  contain  the  tongue  in  the  mouth, 
when  the  bit  presses  upon  it  without  coming 
in  contact  with  the  edges  of  the  molar  teethj 
to  prevent  which  the  tongue  is  thrown  out 
over  the  bit,  and  hangs  from  one  side  of  the 
mouth.     To  remedy  this  defect,  take  a  com= 


THE  HORSE  EDUCATOR.  71 

nion  bar  bit,  and  drill  a  hole  on  either  side 
about  three  quarter  of  an  inch  from  the  centre 
of  the  bit  of  the  upper  surface,  then  take  a 
piece  of  sole  leather,  four  inches  long  and  Uyo 
inches  wide,  and  sprinkle  it  over  with  rosin 
and  burn  it  into  the  leather.  This  renders  it 
proof  against  the  action  of  the  saliva  in  the 
mouth.  Drill  tAvo  holes  in  the  centre  of  the 
leather,  corresponding  with  those  in  the  bit, 
and  secure  both  together  by  rivets,  so  that 
the  leather  extends  two  inches  above  the 
bit,  and  two  inches  below-  it.  This,  put  in  the 
mouth,  keeps  the  tongue  dov/n  clear  of  the 
molar  teeth,  and  prevents  the  animal  getting 
it  over  the  bit.  A  horse  which  lolls  the 
tongue,  should  never  be  driven  with  a  snaffle 
bit,  a  bar  bit  is  always  preferable. 


72  THE  EOKSE  EDUCATOE. 


HUGGING  THE  POLE. 


^WipHis  is  a  great  annoyance  to  the  other 
ofc  horse,  and  he  will  probably  learn  to  do 
the  same  thing,  not  from  imitation,  but  from 
leaning  inwards,  so  as  to  enable  him  to  stand 
against  the  other,  lea'^^ii^g  on  him.  I  have 
seen  a  pair  of  horses  thus  going,  each  leaning 
on  the  other,  rendering  it  extremely  dangerous 
in  frosty  weather,  or  where  the  road  from  any 
cause  may  be  slippery.  This  habit  may  be 
broken  up  by  securing  a  piece  of  sole  leather 
to  the  pole  upon  the  side  where  the  animal 
leans,  having  a  number  of  tacks  driven  through 


THE    HOESE  EDUCATOR.  73 

it  iu  such  a  manner  as  to  protrude  from  the 
leather  towards  the  horse.  The  moment  he 
attempts  to  hug  the  pole  the  tacks  prick  him, 
and  he  leaves  it  in  a  moment  and  takes  his 
proper  position.  He  makes  but  a  few  efforts 
after  the  first  punishment  a  few  days  driving  in 
this  manner   usually   cures   him    of  this  habit. 


74  THE    HOESE  EDtJCATOR. 


UGLY  TO  BEIDLE. 


^OiiE  horses  are  iigij  to  bridle  from  liaving 
been  knocked  or  rougiil}-  handled  about 
the  head.  Horses  are  occasionally  troubled  with 
tender  ears  and  have  some  tenderness  about 
the  mouth ;  such  animals  refuse  to  be  bridled 
fi'om  fear  of  being  hurt ;  nothing  but  kindness 
and  careful  handling  will  accomplish  our  pur- 
pose. In  such  a  case  w^here  the  habit  arises  from 
previous  injuries  or  ugliness  of  disposition,  take 


THE  HORSE    EDUCATOR.  75 

a  cord,  put  the  end  in  the  mouth,  draw  it  tightly 
and  take  a  half  hitch,  this  confines  the  head  and 
prevents  the  animal  from  raising  it.  In  this 
position  the  horse  will  allow  you  to  put  on  and 
take  off  the  bridle  at  pleasure.  After  putting  it  on, 
remove  it  several  times,  loosen  up  the  cord  and 
repeat  the  bridling  every  time  the  animal  resists, 
draw  the  cord  tightly.  On  the  contrary  when  he 
yields, ^caress  him,  you  thus  gain  his  confidence. 


76  THE  HOESE   EDUCATOE. 


LUGGERS  OX  THE  BIT. 


QS^ 


UCKLE  a  pail'  of  straps  about  twelve  inclies 
(^3^  long,  with  a  ring  at  one  end,  and  a  bnckle 
at  the  other  to  the  check  piece,  and  let  the 
straps  x^ass  through  the  rings  of  the  bits  on 
either  side,  buckle  the  lines  to  the  rings  on 
these  straps  instead  of  the  rings  of  the  bit,  this 
forms  a  gag  similar  to  the  French  twitch  gag 
and  is  a  powei-ful  means  of  controlling  the  month 
of  a  hard  pnlHng  horse. 


THE    HOESE  EDUCATOE. 

THE    JUMPIHG    EIG. 


77 


^lE  a  strap  to  the  fore  feet,  below  the  knees, 
pass  it  up  under  a  surcingle,  which  is 
previously  placed  around  the  body  and  tie  the 
other  ends  above  the  fetlock,  to  straps  enclosed 
in  a  ring  so  one  will  see  that  when  he  attemiDts 
to  jump  a  fence  this  fore  foot  is  drawn  up  under 
him,  and  as  he  sjorings  to  deave  the  ground 
the  hind  feet  will  be  pulled  up,  and  he  will 
inevitably  remain  in  the  lot. 


78  '  THE  HORSE    EDUCATOR. 


TO  CUBE  A  CBIBBEE 


^UT  a  strip  of  slieep  skin  with  long  wool, 
about  eight  inches  wide  and  long  enough 
to  cover  the  front  edge  of  the  manger,  and  tie 
him  in  the  stall,  so  he  cannot  crib  anywhere, 
except  on  the  sheepskin.  If  this  does  not  cure 
him,  sprinkle  on  a  httle  cayenne  i^epper.  Another 
remedy  is  to  take  a  wooden  roller,  long  enough 
to  reach  across  the  stall,  let  the  horse  eat  his  hay 
and  grain  from  the  bottom  of  the  manger,  when 
he  attempts  k>  crib  he  must  inevitably  work  on 
the  roller  which  when  he  places  his  teeth  to  crib 
the  roller  turns,  his  lips  come  in  contact  with  the 
roller,  and  he  is  punished  at  every  attempt,  and 
after  a  few  trials  becomes  satisfied  and  will  not 
again  attempt  to  crib. 


THE  HORSE    EDUCATOR.  79 


TO  LEAD  A  HOESE  BEHIND  A  WAGON. 


*AKE  a  stout  cord  or  small  rope,  and  place 
under  his  tail  cross  on  the  back,  run 
through  the  rings  of  the  halter ;  first  hitch  him 
to  a  post,  and  by  hitting  him  over  the  nose  with 
something  to  excite  him,  make  him  pull  which 
will  satisfy  him  of  his  useless  attempts  at  holding 
back  on  the  halter.  You  may  then  hitch  him  to 
the  wagon,  and  3'ou  will  find  no  further  trouble 
in  leading  him. 


80  THE  HOESE    EDUCATOE. 


A  HOESE  BAD  TO  SHOE. 


>HE  habit  of  resistance  to  being  shod  or 
^  allowing  the  feet  to  be  handled,  Hke  all 
others  to  which  horses  are  subject,  is  the  result 
of  hastj  and  imprudent  harshness.  It  would 
seem  fi'om  the  reckless  disregard  of  consequences 
so  generally  evinced  in  handling  young  horses, 
as  though  man  doubted  his  own  reason,  and 
would  not  take  counsel  of  the  teachings  of 
prudence.  If  the  feet  had  been  handled  gently 
at  fii'st  (as  I  have  dhected),  and  blacksmiths 
had  not  vented  so  much  of  theh  celations  in  the 
way  of  pounding  with  the  hammer  for  every 
little   movement   of  resistance  in   shoeing,   this 


THE  HORSE    EDUCATOR.  81 

habit  would  never  have  been  contracted.  The 
natural  tractability  of  the  horse  causes  him  to 
yield  a  ready  obedience  to  all  reasonable  de- 
mands that  he  comprehends.  If  the  feet  are 
jerked  up  roughly,  and  without  an  effort  to 
reconcile  him  to  being  handled,  the  colt  will 
strive  to  get  away  or  free  himself  from  what  he 
supposes  will  hurt  him.  Never  hold  to  the  foot 
with  all  your  might,  when  the  colt  is  trying  to 
jirk  away,  for  in  such  a  case  strength  is  not 
your  forte,  and  your  struggles  only  convince  the 
horse  of  your  weakness.  Handle  the  horse  in 
conformity  with  the  laws  of  his  nature,  so  as  not 
to  excite  resistance  through  fear  of  injury.  If 
the  horse  does  not  very  much  resist  the  handling 
of  his  feet,  put  the  Camanclie  bridle  on  him,  and 
put  a  short  strap  on  his  hind  foot,  pulling  upon 
the  strap  will  bring  the  foot  forward,  and  he  will 
probably  resist  by  kicking.  The  instant  he 
kicks,  reprove  him  with  the  bridle  which  is  held 
in  the  other  hand,  and  so  continue  until  the   foot 


8ti  THE  HORSE  EDUCATOR. 

is  submitted  without  resistance.  But  if  your 
subject  is  very  bad,  take  a  strap  or  rope  about 
twelve  feet  long,  and  tie  one  end  of  it  in  a  loop 
around  bis  neck  where  the  collar  rests,  pass  the 
other  end  back  between  the  fore  legs  and  around 
the  near  hind  leg  below  the  fetlock,  thence  back 
between  the  legs  and  through  the  loop  around 
the  neck.  Now  step  in  front  of  the  horse,  and 
take  a  firm  hold  of  the  rope  or  strap,  and  give  a 
quick  pull  upon  it  which  will  bring  the  foot  for- 
ward, pull  the  foot  as  far  forward  as  you  can 
which  will  give  you  the  more  advantage.  The 
horse  will  try  to  free  the  foot  by  kicking.  Hold 
the  head  firmly  with  the  left  hand,  and  with  the 
other  hold  the  strap  firmly.  Stand  right  up  to 
the  horse's  shoulder,  and  whirl  him  about  you, 
which  you  can  easily  do  while  he  struggles  to 
free  himself.  As  soon  as  he  yields,  handle  the 
foot  gently,  and  then  let  up  on  it  a  Httle,  and  so 
continue  till  he  will  let  you  handle  the  foot 
without  resistance.      It  may    be    necessary  to 


THE  nOESE  EDUCATOR.  83 

repeat  the  lesson  once  or  twice,  and  be  careful 
to  handle  the  foot  with  the  greatest  gentleness. 
If  the  rope  is  rough,  put  a  collar  on  the  neck 
instead  of  the  loop,  and  fasten  your  strap  to  it. 
Use  a  smooth  soft  strap,  so  as  not  to  chafe  the. 
foot  where  it  passes  around  it. 


84  THE  HORSE  EDXTATOR. 


SHOEIXG. 


^F  we  examine  the  liorse's  feet  in  their  natural 
(Jfc)  state,  they  ^ill  be  found  to  be  ahnost  round 
and  Yerj  elastic  at  the  heel,  the  frog  broad, 
plump  and  of  a  soft  yielding  n  ature  of  the  com- 
missui-es  open  and  T\'ell  defined,  the  sole  concave, 
the  outside  crust  fi'om  the  heel  to  the  toe  in- 
creased from  a  slight  bevel  to  an  angle  of  fort}^- 
five  degrees  ;  consequently,  as  the  foot  gTows  i*^ 
becomes  wider  and  longer  in  proportion  to  the 
amount  of  horn  secreted,  and  narrower  and 
shorter  in  proportion  to  the  ground  surface.  If 
a  shoe  were  fitted  nicely  and  accurately  to  the 
foot  after  being  dressed  down  well,  it  would  be 


85  THE  HOESE  EDUCATOR. 

found  too  narrow  and  sliort  for  tlie  same  foot 
after  a  lapse  of  a  few  weeks.  If  an  nnyielding 
shoe  of  iron  is  nailed  firmly  to  this  naturally 
enlarging  and  elastic  hoof,  it  prevents  its  natural 
freedom  of  expansion  almost  wholly,  and  does 
not  allow  the  foot  to  grow  wider  at  the  quarters 
as  it  grows  down,  in  proportion  of  the  amount  of 
horn  grown  as  before  shod  ;  consequently  th® 
foot  is  changed  by  the  continued  restraint  of  the 
shoe,  from  a  nea^rly  round,  healthy  foot  to  a 
contracted  and  unhealthy  condition,  as  generally 
S(  en  in  horses  shod  for  a  few  years. 

The  principles  which  should  govern  in  shoeing 
are  few  and  simple,  and  it  is  surprising  con- 
sidering the  serious  results  involved,  that  it 
should  be  done  with  so  little  consideration.  The 
object  of  the  sheer  should  be  in  trimming  and 
preparing  the  hoof  for  the  shoe  to  keep  the  foot 
natural,  and  this  involves  first  the  cutting  away 
of  any  undue  accumulation  of  horn,  afiecting  in 
the  least    its    health  and  freedom,  second  ;    to 


•86  THE  HORSE  EDUCATOR. 

carry  out  in  the  shape  of  the  shoe,  that  of  the 
foot  as  nearly  as  possible,  third  ;  to  fit  and  fasten 
the  shoe  to  the  foot  so  as  to  least  to  interfere 
with  its  health,  growth  and  elasticity. 

The  preperation  of  the  foot  requires  the 
cutting  away  of  about  the  i^roportion  of  horn 
which,  coming  in  contact  with  the  ground,  would 
have  worn  off,  or  which  has  accumulated  since 
being  last  shod,  if  the  shoes  have  been  on  a 
month,  the  proportion  of  horn  that  was  secreted 
in  that  time  is  to  be  remoyed,  if  two  months,  then 
theproj^ortion  of  two  months  growth;  no  definite 
rule  can  be  given,  the  judgment  must  be  governed 
by  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  the  stronger  and 
more  rapid  the  growth  of  the  foot,  the  more  must 
be  cut  away,  and  the  weaker  and  less  horn 
produced,  the  less  to  the  extremety  of  simply 
leveling  the  crust  a  little  the  better  to  conform 
to  the  shoe,  there  is  generally  a  far  more  rapid 
growth  of  horn  at  the  toe  than  at  the  heels  or 
quarters ;  more  will  be  requii-ed  to  be  taken  off 


THE  HORSE  EDUCiiTOB.  87 

there,  than  of  the  other  parts,  therefore  shorten 
the  toe  and  lower  the  heels  until  you  succeed  in 
bringing  down  the  bearing  surface  of  the  hoof 
upon  the  shoe  to  almost  a  level  with  the  Hve- 
hom  of  the  sole,  be  careful  to  make  the  heels 
level,  having  lowered  the  crust  to  the  necessary 
extent,  smooth  it  down  level  with  the  rasp,  the 
sole  and  frog  detach  by  exfoliation,  as  it  becomes 
superabundant,  the  sole  therefore,  would  not 
need  paring  were  it  not  for  the  restraining  effect 
of  the  shoe  upon  the  general  function  of  the  foot 
which  is  liable  to  prevent  such  detachment  of 
the  horn.  The  cutting  away  of  the  bars  to  give 
the  heels  an  open  appearance  is  inexcusable  and 
should  never  be  done  ;  in  a  natural  healthy 
condition  the  frog  has  a  line  of  bearing  with 
the  hoof  and  by  its  elastic  nature  acts  as  a 
safe-guard  to  the  delicate  machinery  of  the 
foot^  immediately  over  it  and  helps  to  pre- 
serve the  foot  in  its  natural  state  by  keep- 
ing the  heel,  spread.      It  seems  to  be  wisely 


88'  THE    HORSE    EDUCATOR. 

intended  to   give  life   and  liealtli   to   the  foot- 
Permitting  the  heels  to   gi'ow  down,  with  the 
addition   of  high-heeled   shoes,  raises    the  frog 
from  its  natural  position  and  causes  it  to  shrink 
and  harden,  and  bears,  in   consequence,  an  im- 
portant influence  in  setting  up  a  diseased  action 
that  it  really  results  in  contraction  of  the  foot. 
If  the  heels  are  square  and  high,  and  the  hoof 
presents  rather  a  long,  narrow  ajopearance,  and 
is  hollow   on  the  bottom,  there    is    a  state    of 
contraction  going  on,  and  you  must  not  hesitate 
to   dress   down  thoroughly.      Do   not  hesitate, 
because  the  hoof  "^vill  appear  small.     Cut  away 
until  you  are  well  down  to  a  level  with  the  Hve- 
hom  of  the  sole,  and  if  the  foot  is  week,  use  the 
same  prudence  in  not  cutting  it  away  too  much. 
The  shoer  must  always  bear  in  mind  that  the 
sole  must  not  rest  on  the  shoe.     Let  the  foot  be 
so  dressed  down,  and  the  shoe  so  approximate, 
that  the  bearing  will  come  evenly  upon  the  crust 
gllthe  way  around  without  the  sole  touching  the 


HIE    HORSE   EDUCATOK.  89 

slioe.  This  requires  the  crust  to  be  dressed 
down  level,  and,  altliougli  Avell  down  to  the  live- 
horn  of  the  S'jle,  it  should  always  be  ^left  a 
little  higher.  The  corners  between  the  bars  and 
crust  should  be  well  pared  out,  so  there  is  no 
danger  of  the  sole  resting  on  the  shoe  which  is 
our  next  consideration. 


90  THE   HORSE  EDUCATOR. 


THE    SHOE. 


^V^HE  main  object  sliould  be  to  have  the  shoe 
<R  so  formed  as. to  size,  weight,  fitting  and 
fastening  as  to  combine  the  most  advantages  of 
protection,  and  preserve  the  natural  tread  of 
the  foot  the  best.  In  "weight  it  should  be  pro- 
portioned to  the  work  or  employment  of  the 
horse.  The  foot  should  not  be  loaded  with  more 
iron  than  is  necessary  to  preserve  it.  If  the 
work  of  the  horse  is  principally  on  the  road,  at 
heavy  draught,  the  shoe  should  be  rather  heavy 
in  order  that  it  may  not  be  bent  by  contact  with 


THE   HOKSE  EDUCATOR.  91 

hard  uneven  earth  ;  it  should  be  wide  in  the  web 
and  of  equal  thickness  and  width  from  the  toe 
to  the  heel,  that  it  may  as  much  as  possible 
protect  the  sole,  without  altering  the  natural 
position  of  the  foot ;  it  should  be  well  drawn  in 
at  the  heels,  that  it  may  rest  on  the  bars,  thereby 
protecting  the  corn  place  or  angles  between  the 
bar  and  crust,  and  should  in  no  part  extend 
beyond  the  outer  edge  of  the  crust.  It  is  too 
often  the  case  that  the  shoe  is  made  according 
to  the  smith's  notions  of  what  the  form  of  the 
horse's  foot  should  be,  and  the  foot  is  pared, 
burned,  and  rasped  until  it  fits  the  shoe.  Now 
it  should  always  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  shoe 
is  intended  for  the  foot,  and  not  the  foot  for 
the  shoe,  and  that  it  is  therefore  peculiarly 
proper  to  make  the  shoe  fit  the  natural  form  of 
the  foot.  It  is  impossible  to  have  the  foot  of 
a  horse  sound  and  safe  for  work  and  use,  after 
bringing  it  to  an  unnatural  figure  by  the  use  of 
the  knife  and  rasp.     The  foot  of  the  horse,  being 


92  THE   HOFiSE   EDUCATOR. 

elastic,  it  expands  to  the  weight  of  the  horse  in 
precisely  the  same  degree,  whether  resting  upon 
the  most  open  or  the  most  contracted  shoe. 
Therefore,  the  shape  of  the  shoe  cannot  possibly 
effect  the  shape  of  the  foot.  The  form  of  the 
foot  is  determined  by  the  situation  of  the  nails. 
If  the  nails  are  placed  in  a  manner  that  the 
inside  quarters  and  heels  are  left  free  to  expand 
in  a  natural  manner,  no  shape  which  we  can  giye 
to  the  shoe  can  of  itself  change  the  form  of  the 
■f  o  o  It  must  not  be  infered  however  from  this, 
that  the  shape  of  the  shoe  is  of  no  importance  ; 
quite  the  contrary  being  the  case,  as  I  have 
already  sho^Ti.  In  forming  the  shoe,  we  should 
always  adopt  that  which  produces  the  gxeatest 
number  of  advantages  with  the  fewest  dis- 
advantages. \^^e  find  that  the  sole  surface  of 
the  foot  is  by  nature  concave  in  form,  which 
seems  to  offer  the  greatest  fulcrum  of  resistance 
to  the  horse  when  travelling.  It  is  imjDortant 
to  preseiTe  the  natui'al  mechanical  action  of  the 


THE    HOESE  EDUCATOE.  93 

liorn  and  sole  ;  therefore  tlie  groimcl  surface  of 
tlie  foot,  that  is  to  say,  the  ground  surface  of 
the  shoe  should  be  leveled  cup  fashion ;  its  outer 
edge  being  prominent,  corresponds  to  the  lower 
and  outer  rim  of  the  hoof ;  while  the  shoe 
being  hollow,  resembles  the  natural  cavity  of 
the  sole  of  the  foot.  The  ground  surface  of  the 
shoe  should  always  be  concave.  The  pattern 
that  "nature  has  presented  us  in  making  the  sole 
concave  cannot  be  improved  upon  by  the  smith 
with  all  his  skill.  The  expansion  of  the  heels 
and  growth  of  the  foot  requires  that  the  shoe 
should  be  long  enough  and  wdde  enough  at  the 
heels  to  allow  for  the  natural  growth  of  the  foot 
in  the  time  it  is  calculated  the  shoe  should  be 
on  before  being  reset ;  for  as  the  foot  enlarges 
the  shoe  is  brought  forward  until  it  loses  its 
original  proportion,  and  becomes  too  short  and 
narrow.  The  shoe,  may  be  about  a  quarter  of 
an  inch  wider  and  longer  than  the  extreme 
bearing  of  the  heels.    And  the  nail  holes  should 


94  the'  hoese  educator. 

be  puncliecl  coarse  and  in  the  centre  of  the  web. 
The  manner  of  fastening  the  shoe  is  what 
really  affects  the  foot,  and  what  requires  the 
most  special  attention  in  shoeing,  for  the  foot, 
being  elastic,  expands  in  the  same  proportion  on 
the  rough  as  on  the  nicely  fitted  shoe,  it  is  the 
number  and  position  of  the  nails  that  really 
affect  the  foot.  |  -If  they  are  placed  well  back  in 
the  quarters  four  on  a  side,  as  is  common  the 
crust  is  held  as  firmly  to  this  unyielding  shoe  as 
if  in  a  vice,  which  utterly  prevents  the  free  action 
necessary  to  its  health.  Inflamation  of  the 
sensitive  lameness  as  is  produced,  which  causes 
contraction  and  the  consequent  derangement 
of  the  whole  foot,  if  the  free  natural  expansion 
of  the  foot,  and  the  spreading  of  the  quarters  in 
proportion  to  the  growth  of  the  hoof  is  prevented 
by  the  nailing  of  the  shoe,  irritation  of  the 
fleshy  substance  between  the  crust  and  coffin 
bone  -^dll  result,  and  ultimately  create  so  much 
diseased    action  of  the  parts  as   to  cause  con- 


THE    HOESE  EDUCATOR.  95 

traction  and  nervicular  disease.  Shoes  may  be 
fastened  without  causing  such  mischief,  if  the 
following  method  of  nailing  is  obseryed. 

In  experimenting  for  the  purpose  of  ascer- 
taining how  few  nails  are  absolutely  necessary 
under  ordinary  circumstances  for  retaining  the 
shoe  securely  in  its  place  as  long  as  it  should 
remain  upon  the  foot,  it  has  been  satisfactorily 
estabhshed  that  five  nails  are  amply  sufficient  for 
the  fore  shoes,  and  seven  for  the  hind  ones,  three 
should  be  placed  on  the  outside  of  the  foot  and 
two  on  the  inner  side  near  the  toe,  thereby 
leaving  the  foot  free  to  expand  in  a  natural 
manner,  the  nails  should  not  be  driven  high  up 
in  the  crust,  but  brought  out  as  soon  as  possible. 
Another  mistake  with  most  Smiths  is  in  rasping 
the  clinches  away  too  fine  ;  th6y  should  be  turned 
broad  and  flat.  It  is  also  customary  for  some  to 
rasp  and  sandpaper  the  whole  suiiace  of  the 
hoof,  for  the  purpose  of  making  it  look  nice  and 
smooth.  Buch  a  practice  should  never  be  toleratedj 

5 


96  THE  HOESE  EDUCATOE. 

the  coYering  thus  removed  is  provided  by  nature 
to  protect  the  too  rapid  evaporation  of  the 
moistnre  of  the  hoof,  and  ^hen  taken  away 
causes  the  horn  to  become  dry  and  brittle.  It  has 
long  been  customary  to  use  as  many  nails  as 
could  be  conveniently  diiven,  in  fact,  of  fastening 
the  shoe  as  if  it  were  to  be  fastened  to  a  lifeless 
block  of  wood,  therefore  the  fear  is  very  com- 
monly entertained  that  the  shoe  will  not  be  held 
in  its  place  with  so  few  nails.  Such  fears  are 
utterly  groundless,  as  both  theory  and  practice 
concur"  in  asserting.  If  the  presence  of  a  nail  in 
the  crust  were  a  matter  of  no  moment,  and  two 
or  thr^e  more  than  are  really  necessary  were 
merely  useless,  no  great  reason  would  exist  for 
condemning  the  common  practice  of  using  too 
many  nails,  but  it  is  far  otherwise ;  the  nails 
aside  from  confining  the  natural  expansion  of  the 
hoof,  separate  the  fibres  of  the  horn,  which 
never  by  any  chance  become  united  again,  but 
continue  apart  and  imclosed,  until  by  degrees, 


THE  HORSE  EiDUCATOE,  97 

tliey  grow  clown  v»itli  the  rest  of  the  hoof  and 
are  finally,  after  repeated  shoeing,  removed  by 
the  knife. 

As  these  holes  cannot  possibly  grov/  down  and 
be  remoyed  under  three  shoeings,  it  will  be  found 
that  even  with  a  small  nnmber  of  nails,  that 
three  times  that  nnmber  of  holes  must  exist  in 
the  hoof  all  the  while,  and  as  they  are  often 
from  various  causes  extended  into  each  other, 
they  necessarily  keep  it  in  a  brittle,  unhealthy 
state,  and  materially  interfere  with  the  future 
nail  hold,  as  the  position  of  the  foot  and  the 
nature  of  its  office  render  it  less  hable  to  injury 
than  the  fore  foot,  consequently  it  less  frequently 
lames;  however,  disease  of  the  nervicular  bone 
of  this  foot  is  by  no  means  impossible.  The  same 
care  should  be  taken  as  with  the  forefoot.  Calks, 
although  they  may  be  turned  down  of  perfectly 
even  length  on  each  side  (which  is  seldom  done) 
are  objectionable  appendages,  and  should  be 
dispensed  with  except,  perhaps,  for  very  heavy 


98  THE    HOESE  EDUCATOR. 

di'aft,   or  wlien  the  roads  are  fi'ozen  or  covered 
witli  ice. 


TO    PEETEXT  IXTEEFEEDsG. 

EemoTe  the  portion  of  crust  that  hits  the 
ankle,  and  have  the  shoe  set  well  under  the  foot. 

The  hoof  should  be  lowest  on  the  outside  to 
turn  the  ankle,  that  the  other  hoof  may  pass 
clear.  The  shoe  shoidd  be  light  and  of  narrow 
web,  with  only  two  nail  holes  on  the  inside,  and 
those  near  the  toe. 


OYEEEEACHING. 


Young  horses  are  more  subject  to  overreaching 
than  old  ones.  It  very  fi'equently  disappears 
as  the  speed  of  the  animal  is  increased.  At  a 
moderate  gait  the  fi'ont  feet  do  not  always  get 


THE    HOPiSE  EDUCATOE.  99 

out  of  the  way  in  time  for  the  hind  ones  as  they 
are  brought  forward.  Sometimes  the  heels  are 
cut  or  bruised  baldy,  and  occasionally  the 
shoes  are  torn  from  the  front  feet.  To  preyent 
this,  have  the  front  shoe  a  little  lighter,  the 
animal  lifts  them  up  more  quickly.  The  hind 
shoes  made  a  little  heavier  causes  him  to  lift 
them  more  slowty,  and  the  difficulty  is  at  once 
removed. 


TO   CURE   CORNS. 

Cut  the  horn  well  down,  but  not  to  the  quick, 
fit  the  shoe  so  it  does  not  press  upon  ths  part, 
then  saturate  well  with  pine  sap  or  gum,  which  is 
found  exuding  from  pine  trees  when  cut.  Fill 
the  part  in  nicely  with  tow,  and  put  on  the  shoe, 
which  must  be  so  fitted  as  not  to  oblige  the  part 
to  support,  but  very  slightly,  if  any,  the  weight  of 
the  horse.  Horses  with  corns  must  be  oftener 
and  more  carefully  shod  than  those  free  from 
them. 


100  THE  HOKSE  EDUOAtOB. 

TO  TELL  A  horse's  AGE. 

There  is  only  one  sure  way  of  telling  the  age 
of  a  horse,  and  that  is  by  an  examination  of  his 
teeth,  and  that  only  extends  to  a  certain  age, 
although  an  experienced  horseman  can  guess  very 
nearly  for  some  time  after  that  period.  There 
are  six  teeth  in  the  front  part  of  a  horse's  mouth, 
above  and  below,  called  the  gatherers,  fi'om 
which  we  may  judge  of  his  age.  When  a  colt  is 
foaled  he  generally  has  no  teeth  in  the  front  part 
of  his  mouth.  In  a  few  days  two  come  in  the 
up23er  jaw  and  two  below,  and  again  after  a  few 
days,  four  more  appear,  but  the  corner  teeth  do 
not  make  their  appearance  until  he  is  four  or 
five  months  old,  these  twelve  teeth  remain 
unchanged  in  the  front  of  the  colt's  mouth  until 
he  is'  about  two  years  old,  when  he  sheds  the  two 
center  nippers. 

At  three  years  old,  a  colt  sheds  the  adjoining 
teeth.    At  four  years  old,  a  colt  sheds  under  or 


THE    HOESE  EDUCATOE.      '  101 

comer.  Teeth,  at  five  years  old,  bridle  too  tlimakes 
its  appearance.  At  six  ^ears  old,  the  cups 
leave  two  center  teeth  below.  At  seven  3'ears 
old,  the  cups  leave  adjoining  teeth.  At  eight 
years  old,  cups  leave  outer  or  corner  teeth. 
At  nine  years  old,  cups  leave  two  center 
nippers  above.  At  ten  years  old,  cups  leave 
adjoining  teeth.  At  eleven  years  old,  cups  leave 
corner  upper  teeth.  At  twelve  years  or  past, 
groove  in  inside  of  bridle  tooth  disappears  in 
a  horse.    Mares  very  seldom  have  them. 


TEICES. 

As  so  many  have  expressed  a  desire  to  know 
how  to  teach  thoir  horses  tricks,  we  thought 
proper  to  explain  how  it  can  be  done.  Teaching 
a  young  horse  a  few  tricks  makes  him  appear 
intelligent  and  also  serves  to  keep  up  an  interest 


102  THE     HORSE  EDUCATOR. 

in  him.  It  requires  but  two  or  three  lessons  a  day 
of  half  or  three  quarters  of  an  hour,  each,  to 
accomphsh  anything  you  may  desire  in  a  very 
short  time. 


TO   TEACH  A  HORSE  TO  COME  AT  TLJE   CRACK  OF 
THE   WHIP. 

Ail  that  is  necessary  to  accomplish  this, 
is  to  proceed  precisely  in  the  same  manner  as 
when  giving  the  colt  his  fii'st  lesson.  After  having 
put  on  the  war  bridle,  the  cord  should  bo  three 
or  four  times  as  long,  then  let  him  off  the  length 
of  it,  and  if  he  does  not  come  immediately  after 
the  crack  of  the  whip  and  word,  give  him  a  little 
jerk,  ^'hen  he  comes  to  you,  always  reward  him 
by  feeding  him  sugar  or  apples.  He  v.  ill  soon  get 
go  that  you  can  at   any  time  call  him   to   you. 


THE  HORSE    EDUCATOE.  103 

HOW    TO   TEACH  A  HOESE    TO   L.\.UGH. 

With  a  pin  prick  him  on  the  nose  till  he  turns 
his  lip  up,  then  caress  him  well.  He  will  soon  learn 
that  when  you  point  tovv'arcls  him  and  say  laugh, 
that  means  a  prick  in  the  nose  if  he  does  not 
turn  his  lip  up. 


TO  SHAKE  HANDS. 


This  is  easily  accomplished  by  tying  a  short 
strap  or  piece  of  cord  to  the  forward  foot  below 
the  fetlock,  then  stand  directly  in  front  of  the 
horse  and  hold  the  end  of  the  strap  in  your  hand 
and  say  shake  hands,  sir;  after  v/hich  pull 
immediately  upon  the  strap,  which  will  bring  his 
foot  forward,  and  which  you  are  to  accept  as 
shaking  hands,  then  of  course  you  must  caress 
and  feed  him,  and  keep  repeating  uatil  when  you 
make  the  demand,  ho  will  bring  the  foot  forward 
in  anticipcation  of  hayiug  it  pulled  up. 


104  THE  HORSE  EDUCATOK. 

HO^   TO   ]\LiKE  A  HOESE  WALTZ. 

Tie  liis  head  to  his  side  by  means  of  a  surcingle 
and  cordj  fastening  the  cord  at  the  side  reaching 
fi'om  the  month,  tonch  him  hghtlj  Tvdth  the  "whip. 
He  has  to  go,  and  of  course  he  must  go  round  and 
round.  He  soon  learns  it  perfectly,  so  to  waltz  by 
the  motion  of  the  whip,  still  repeating  the  word 
waltz. 


HOW  TO   ZVLVKE  A  TEICEY  HOESE    KISS  YOU. 

First  learn  him  to  bite  at  you  by  stinging  him 
in  the  shoulder  with  a  pin ;  thus  when  you  go  to 
sting  him,  to  save  himself  he  will  put  around  his 
head.  Have  a  piece  of  apple  in  your  hand,  put  it 
up  to  your  mouth,  and  he  will  soon  learn  that  the 
words,  kiss  me,  means  an  apple  for  him  in  your 
mouth.  This  gives  the  horse  the  idea,  so  he  will 
kiss  you  at  command,  by  your  making  a  slight 
motion  backwards  of  the  head. 


THE  HOESE  EDUCATOE.  105 

HOW  TO  MAKE  A  HOESE  TO  GO  LAME. 

Tap  him  one  fore  leg  till  lie  holds  it  up,  then 
caress  him  kindly,  lead  him  with  the  left  hand  to 
the  bit,  tap  the  left  fore  leg  with  a  stick  with  your 
right  hand ;  repeat  the  word  lame,  lame,  lame, 
and  jom:  horse  will  soon  learn  to  hold  up  one  leg 
at  the  command. 


HOW  TO   MAKE   A   KOESE   BOW. 

Take  a  pin,  prick  him  in  the  back  till  ho  throws 
his  head  up  and  down  the  least  bit,  then  take  the 
pin  away,  caress  him  kindl}^ ;  repeat  for  a  few 
times  and  then  when  you  stand  back  and  attract 
his  attention  he  will  nod  his  head,  expecting  a 
prick  in  the  back. 


HOY/   TO   MAKE   A   HOESE   SAY   XO. 

Prick  him  on  the  neck  till  ho  shakes  his  head, 
then  remove  the  pin,  caress  him,  repeat  for  a  Y^rhile, 


106  THE  HOESE    EDUCATOK. 

and  your  horse  will  soon  sliake  his  head  when  you 
raise  your  hand  to  your  heart ;  be  always  sure  to 
treat  the  animal  kindly  for  well  doing,  and  caress 
him  when  he  derseves  it,  and  he  Avill  repay  you 
by  his  love  for  you  and  willingness  to  do  your 
biddiuQ-. 


HOW    TO   MAKE   A   HORSE   YOXK   UP. 

First  put  on  a  rope  around  his  neck,  bring  it 
down  through  his  mouth,  back  through  the  loop 
on  the  neck,  jerk  him  till  he  raises  his  fore  feet 
the  least  bit,  then  stop  and  caress  him,  then 
check  him  up  tight  to  a  surcingle  from  the  bit  to 
the  side  ring,  is  the  better  way,  then  jerk  on  the 
cord,  he  will  soon  get  up  erect ;  repeat,  still 
caressing  him  well  for  all  he  does ;  he  will  soon 
get  up  at  the  motion  of  the  whip.  You  should 
when  practicing  him,  repeat  the  word,  get  up,  sir  ! 
It  is  in  this  manner  I  taught  Tom  Thumb  to  go 


THE  HORSE   EDUCATOR.  107 

up  and  down  stairs,  to  perform  on  the  stage  in 
different  places,  affording  amiisment  to  thonsands 
of  witnesses. 


HOW  TO  MAKE  A  HORSE  GET  UP  ON  A  BALL. 

First  raise  the  right  fore  foot  to  the  ball,  hold 
it  with  jour  left  hand,  place  your  right  hand 
around  the  horse's  left  knee,  pull  hard,  this  throws 
the  weight  of  the  horse  on  liis  right  leg  and  he 
has  got  to  come  up  ;  repeat  a  few  times  and  he 
will  learn  it  perfectly. 


108  THE    HOUSE  EDUCATOB, 


Rules   ai\d  I\egulatioi\s 

FOE  THE  GOVER>rMEXT  OF 

Trotting  ^nd.  Racing 


0^-EK  THE 


UNIOX  COOISE5  LOXG  ISJLAND, 


EuLE  1st.— Natuke  of  Elxes.  —  All  matclies, 
or  sweep-stakes  wliicli  shall  come  off  over  the 
course  will  be  governed  by  these  rules,  unless 
the  contrary  is  mutually  agreed  upon  by  the 
parties  making  such  match  or  stake. 

2.  PowEK  OF  PoSTPo>s'EMENT.  —  In  case  of 
unfavorable  vreather,  or  unavoidable  causes,  all 
pui'ses,  matches,  sweep-stakes  announced  to  come 
off,  to    which   the   proprietors   contribute,  they 


THE    HOKSE  EDUCATOK.  109 

shall  liaye  the  power  to  postpone  to  a  futuro  day, 
upon  giving  notice  of  the  same. 

3.  QuALincATioxs  OF  Houses  Starting. — 
Horses  trained  in  the  same  stable,  or  owned  in 
part  by  the  same  person,  within  three  days 
shall  not  start  for  a  purse ;  and  horses  so  entered 
shall  forfeit  their  entrance.  A  horse  starting  alone 
shall  receive  but  one  half  of  the  purse.  Horses 
deemed  by  the  judges  not  fair  trotting  horses, 
shall  be  ruled  off  previous  to,  or  distanced 
at    the  termination  of  the  heat. 

4.  Entries. — All  entries  shall  be  made  under 
a  seal,  inclosing  the  entrance  money  (ten  per  cent 
on  the  purse)  and  addressed  to  the  proprietor,  at 
such  time  and  place  as  they  have  been  j)reviously 
designated  by  advertisement. 

5.  Weight  to  be  Carried. —  Every  trotting 
horse  starting  for  match,  purse  or  stake,  shall 
carry  one  hundred  and  forty-five  pounds ;  if  in 
harness,  the  weight  of  the  sulky  and  harness  not 


110  THE  HOESE  EBLX^ATOE. 

to  be  considered.     Pacing   horses  liable  to  the 
same  iTile. 

G.  Distances.  —  A  distance  for  mile  heats, 
best  three  in  five  shall  be  one  hundred  yards ; 
for  one  mile  heats,  eighty  yards,  and  for  every 
additional  mile,  an  additional  eighty  yards. 

7.  Time  Between  Heats.— The  time  between 
heats  shall  be  for  one  mile,  twenty  minutes;  for 
every  additional  mile  an  additional  five  minutes. 

8.  Power  of  Judges. — There  shall  be  chosen 
by  the  proprietors  of  the  course,  or  stewards, 
three  judges  to  preside  over  a  race  for  purses, 
and  by  them  an  additional  judge  shall  be 
appointed  for  the  distance  stand;  they  may,  also, 
during  or  previous  to  a  race,  aj^point  insjoectors 
at  any  part  of  the  course,  whose  reports  and 
theirs  alone,  shall  be  received  of  any  foul  riding 
or  driving. 

9.  DiffepvEnce  of  Opinion  Between  Judges.— 
Should  a  difference  of  opinion  exist  between  the 


THE   HOESE  EDUCATOR.  Ill 

judges  in  the  startiug-stancT  on  any  question,  a 
majority  sliall  govern. 

10.  Judges'  Duties. — The  judges  shall  order 
the  horses  saddled  or  harnessed  five  minutes 
previous  to  the  time  appointed  for  starting  ;  any 
rider  or  driver  causing  undue  detention  after 
being  called  up,  by  making  false  starts  or  other- 
wise, the  judges  may  give  the  word  to  start 
without  reference  to  the  situation  of  the  horse  so 
offending,  unless  convinced  such  delay  is  un- 
avoidable on  the  part  of  the  rider  or  driver,  in 
which  case  not  more  than  thirty  minutes  shall  be 
consumed  in  attempting  to  start ;  and  at  the 
expiration  of  that  time,  the  horse  or  horses  ready 
to  start  shall  receive  the  word. 

11.  Starting  Horses. —  The  pole  shall  be 
drawn  for  by  the  judges,  the  horse  winning  a 
heat  shall,  for  the  succeeding  heats,  be  entitled 
to  a  choice  of  the  track  ;  on  coming  out  on  the 
last  stretch,  each  horse  shall  retain  the  track  first 
selected ;  any  horse  deviating  shall  bo  distanced. 


112  THE    HOESE   EDUCATOR. 

12.  Eedees  oe  Deiyees. — Eiders  or  drivers 
shall  not  be  permitted  to  start  unless  dressed  in 
jockey  style. 

13.  "Weight  of  Kidees  and  Debtees. — Eiders 
and  drivers  shall  weigh  in  the  presence  of  one  or 
more  of  the  judges  previous  to  starting  ;  and  after 
a  heat,  are  to  come  up  to  the  starting  stand,  and 
not  dismount  until  so  ordered  by  the  judges;  any 
rider  or  driver  disobeying  shall,  on  weighing,  be 
precluded  from  the  benefit  of  the  weight  of  his 
saddle  and  whip,  and  if  not  full  weight,  shall  be 
distanced. 

14.  Penalty  foe  Foul  EfDiNG  oe  DEmsG. — 
A  rider  or  driver  committing  any  act  which  the 
judges  may  deem  foul  riding  or  driving,  shall 
be  distanced. 

15.  HoESEs  Beeakixg. — Should  any  horse 
break  from  his  trot  or  pace,  it  shall  be  the  duty 
of  the  rider  or  driver  to  pull  his  horse  to  a  trot 
or  pace  immediately,  and  in  case  of  the  rider 
or  driver  refusing  to  do  so,  the  penalty  shall  be 


THE  HOBSE  EDUCATOR,  113 

that  the  next  best  horse  shall  have  the  heat ;  if 
the  rider  or  driver  should  comply  v/ith  the  above, 
and  he  should  gain  by  such  break,  twice  the  dis- 
tance so  gained  shall  be  taken  away  on  the 
coming  out ;  a  horse  breaking  on  the  score  shall 
not  lose  the  heat  by  so  doing. 
'  16.  The  Winning  Horse. — A  horse  must  mn 
two  heats  to  be  entitled  to  the  pui'se,  ujiless  he 
distanced  all  other  horses  in  one  heat.  A  dis- 
tanced horse  in  a  dead  heat  shall  not  start 
again. 

17.  Eelatiye  to  Heats. — A  horse  not  win- 
ning one  heat  in  three,  shall  not  start  for  a  fourth 
heat.  When  a  dead  heat  is  made  between  two 
horses,  that  if  either  had  won  the  heat  the  race 
would  have  been  decided,  they  two  only  shall 
start  again  ;  in  races,  best  three  in  five,  a  horse 
shall  win  one  heat  in  five  to  be  allowed  to  start 
for  the  sixth  heat,  unless  such  hoise  shall  have 
made  a  dead  heat ;  such  horses  as  are  prevented 
from  starting  by  this  rule  shall  be  considered 
drawn  and  not  distanced. 


114  THE   HORSE  EDUCATOR. 

18.  On  Heats  and  Distances.— If  two  horses 
each  win  a  heat,  and  neither  are  distanced  in 
the  race,  the  one  coming  out  ahead  on  the  last 
heat  to  be  considered  the  best.  The  same  rule 
to  be  applied  to  horses,  neither  winning  a  heat 
and  neither  distanced.  If  one  horse  wins  a  heat 
he  is  better  than  one  that  does  not,  provided  he 
does  not  get  distanced  in  the  race,  then  the  other, 
if  not  distanced,  shall  be  the  best.  A  horse  that 
wins  a  heat  and  is  distanced,  is  better  than  one 
not  winning  a  heat,  and  being  distanced  in  the 
same  heat.  A  horse  distanced  in  the  second 
heat  is  better  than  one  distanced  in  the  first  heat. 

19.  Horses  Drat^-n.  —  Horses  draY>Ti  before 
the  conclusion  of  a  race  shall  be  considered  dis- 
tanced. 

20.  Outside  Bets. — In  all  matches  made 
play  or  pay  ;  outside  bets  not  to  be  considered 
play  or  pay,  unless  so  understood  by  the  parties. 

21.  Of  Play  or  Pay  Matches. — All  monies 
bet  play  or  pay  matches  by  outside  betters  are 
not  considered  play  or  pay. 


THE  HORSE  EDUCATOR.  115 

22.  Betting. —Absent  Betters. — A  con- 
firmed bet  cannot  be  left  off  without  mutual  con- 
sent. If  either  party  be  absent  at  the  time  of 
trotting,  and  the  money  be  not  staked,  the  party 
present  may  declare  the  bet  void  in  the  presence 
of  the  judges,  unless  some  party  will  stake  the 
money  betted  for  the  absentee. 

23.  Compromised  Matches. — All  bets  made 
by  outside  betters  on  compromised  matches  are 
considered  drawn. 

21.  Betters  or  Odds,  etc.  —  The  person 
who  bets  the  odds  has  the  right  to  choose  the 
horse  or  the  field.  When  he  has  chosen  his 
horse  the  field  is  what  starts  against  him  ;  but 
there  is  no  field  unless  one  starts  with  him. 
If  odds  are  bet  without  naming  the  horses,  be- 
fore the  trot  is  over  it  must  be  determined,  as 
the  odds  were  at  time  of  making  it.  Bets 
made  in  trotting  are  not  determined  till  the 
purse  is  won,  if  the  heat  is  not  specified  at  the 
time  of  betting. 


116  THE    HOESE  EDUCATOR. 

25.  HoESEs  Excluded  feom  Staettn'g  or 
Distanced. — All  bets  made  on  horses  precluded 
from  starting  (by  rnle  19),  being  distanced  in  the 
race,  or  on  such  horses  against  each  other,  shall 
be  drawn. 

26.  In  cases  of  Dispute  and  Improper  Con- 
duct.— In  all  cases  of  dispute  not  provided  for  by 
the  rules,  the  judges  for  the  day  will  decide 
finally.  In  case  of  a  trot  or  match  being  proved 
to  their  satisfaction  to  have  been  made  or  con- 
ducted improperly  or  dishonestly  on  the  part  of 
the  principals,  they  shall  have  the  power  to  de- 
clare all  bets  void. 

27.  The  Size  of  Whips  to  be  Tsed.  —  No 
rider  or  driver  shall  be  allowed  any  other  than  a 
reasonable  length  of  whip,  namely :  for  saddle 
horses,  two  feet  ten  inches ;  sulky,  foui'  feet  eight 
inches  ;  wagon,  five  feet  ten  inches. 

28.  In  Case  of  Accidents. — In  case  of  acci- 
dents but  five  minutes  shall  be  allowed  over  the 
time  siDccified  in  Eule  No.  10,  unless  the  judges 
think  more  time  necessary. 


THE  HORSE  EDUCATOE.  117 

29.  Judges  Stand. — No  person  shall  be  al- 
lowed in  the  judges'  stand  but  the  judges,  repor- 
ters, and  members  at  the  time  of  trotting. 

30.  In  Case  of  Death. — All  engagements  are 
Toid  upon  the  decease  of  either  party  being 
determined. 


118  THE  HOESE  EDUCATOB. 


I^ECE  I  PTS 


Tlie  follo^TQg  receij)ts  have  been  gathered 
from  soui'ces  entitled  to  tlie  fullest  confidence  as 
remedies  of  value  to  all  owners  of  horses,  and 
are  presented  with  the  hope  of  doing  good. 

A  CUKE  FOE  HEAVES,  NE^^K  BEFOEE 

PUBLISHED. 

Take  a  common  stone  jar,  fill  it  vrith  eggs, 
cover  them  with  cider  vinegar,  let  them  stand 
till  the  vinegar  eats  up  the  shells.  Then  stir  all 
together.  Take  a  lump  of  hrne  about  the  size  of 
a  goose  egg,  slack  it  in  hot  water,  usiftg-ftfee«^ 
one  quart  of-^^at«r.  Of  the  lime  water  add  one-half 
pint  to  a  quart  of  the  egg  mixture.  Give  a  tea- 
cupful,  at  ieeding-^Bie,  in  feed,  three  times  a  day. 


THE  HOESE    EDUCATOR.  119 

A  EEMEDY  TO  COYER  THE  HEAVES. 
One-half  pint  of  turpentine,  2  oz.  of  assafoetida, 
2  oz.  aloes,  4  oz.  of  Lobelia  seed,   1   quart  of 
whiskey,  2  oz.  of  sal  ammonia,  4  oz.  salaretus,!  oz. 
of  camphor. 
"Dose,  one  tablespoonfiil  once  each  day. 

v^         SCRATCHES. 
Wash  well  with  castile  soap  ;  then  make  a  soap 
lather,  and  add  powdered  charcoal  to  make  a 
paste,  apply  with  a  brush  and  let  it  dry,  after 
which  it  can  be  rubbed  off. 

Another  remedy : 

Hydrate  of  potassa,  10  grains  ;  pulverized  nut- 
gall,  one-half  oz. ;  white  lead,  pulverized  opium, 
one-quarter  oz.  ;  lard,  one-quarter  lb.  Wash 
with  soap  suds,  rub  dry,  and  apply  mixture  night 
and  morning.     Give  purging  ball. 

COLIC  OR  GBIPEB. 
Symptoms:  Pawing,  manifesting  a  desii-e  to 


120  THE   HORSE  EDUCATOR. 

lie  down,  and  without  doing  so  commence  to 
paw  again.  As  the  symptoms  increase,  the  ani- 
mal cannot  be  kept  on  his  feet,  he  frequently  falls 
as  if  shot ;  pulse  not  altered  from  natural  condi- 
tion. Interrals  of  rest,  together  with  the  condi- 
tion of  the  pulse,  distinguish  the  disease  from 
inflammation  of  the  bowels. 

Treat  as  follows  : 

Frequent  injections  of  soap  and  water,  and 
give  inteiTially,  spirits  of  nitre,  1  oz.  ;  laudanum, 
1  oz. ;  water,  one-half  pint;  mix  for  drench. 
This  may  be  repeated  in  20  minutes  if  relief  is 
not  obtained. 

Another  remedy,  giving  instant  relief  : 
From  5  to  10  di'ops  of  chloroform,  given  on 
sugar,  I  have  never  known  to  fail  giving  imme- 
diate rehef.  I  have  known  men  to  be  from  home 
and  have  their  horses  taken  with  this  disease 
and  use  this  remedy,  and  in  30  minutes  the  horses 
were  able  to  be  driven. 


lm^  HOKSE  EI)UCATOR.  V2X 

FOE  INFLAIMMATION  OF  THE  LUNGS. 

First,  bleed  tlioroughly,  then  give  tinct.  verat- 
rum,  J  oz. ;  laudanum,  4  oz. ;  tinct.  aconite,  | 
oz. ;  sliake  well  and  give  a  teaspoonful  every 
tliree  hours,  in  a  pint  of  water  well  sweetened, 
and  if  the  pulse  is  not  reduced  in  a  short  time, 
increase  the  dose  to  a  tablespoonful  until  the 
fever  abates.  As  soon  as  the  horse  recovers  so 
as  to  eat  and  lie  down  naturally,  keep  him  on 
hay,  with  a  few  carrots  or  potatoes,  and  daily 
give  a  bran  mash,  with  saltpetre,  crush  antimony 
and  sulphur,  for  a  week  or  ten  days,  and  you  will 
prevent  dropsy  of  the  chest,  which  usually  fol- 
lows this  disease. 

BPATIN. 

This  being  a  valuable  receipt  it  is  worth  money 
to  any  man  dealing  in  horses  : 

Euphorbium,  5  oz. ;  Spanish  flies,  fine,  2  oz.; 
iodine,  1  oz.,  dissolved  with  alcohol ;  seed  pre- 
cipitate, ^  oz. ;  corrosive  subHrnate,  1  oz. ;  quick- 


122  THE  HORSE    EDUCATOB. 

silver,  J  oz. ;  liog's  lard,  6  oz.  ;  T\-liite  tur- 
pentine, 6  oz.  ;  verdigris,  J  lb.  Melt  the  lard 
and  turpentine  together,  then,  while  hot,  add 
the  others,  excej^t  the  quicksilver,  which  must 
be  stirred  in  as  it  becomes  cold.  Mix  well. 
When  cold  it  is  fit  for  use.  Rub  it  in  well  on  the 
spavin  every  day  for  three  days,  then  wash  ckan 
with  soap  suds,  and  omit  for  three  days ;  then 
repeat  for  three  days,  and  so  continue  till  a  per- 
fect cure  is  effected.  Should  it  blister  use  more 
cautiously. 

J  BLOOD   SPAYIX. 

One-half  pound  of  blood  root ;  1  quart  of  al- 
cohol ;  2  oz.  tannin ;  J  lb.  alum.  Mix  and  let 
stand.  Shaking  several  times  a  day  till  the 
strength  is  all  in  the  alcohol,  and  bathe  the 
spavin  twice  a  day,  rubbing  with  the  hand. 

I      FOE    WINDGALLS. 

Olive  oil,  2  oz. ;  nitric  acid,  oz.     Rub  as  much 


THE  HORSE   EDUCATOR.  l23 

in  every  day,  or  every  second  or  third  day,  as 
will  bear  without  startincr  the  hair. 


FOE    INFLAMED   SWELLINGS   OE  LAME 
SHOULDEE. 

Equal  parts  oil  amber,  oil  spike,  camphor,  gum 
and  ether.  Should  be  shaken  well  before  using, 
and  well  rubbed  in  with  the  hand. 

HIDE  BOUND.  . 

This  condition  of  the  skin  is  usually  j)roduced 
by  any  derangement  of  system.  Medicine  of  an 
alterative  character  is  here  indicated.  The 
most  successful  are  sulphur  pulverized,  8  oz. ; 
nitrate  of  potassa,  pulverized,  3  oz. ;  black  anti- 
mony, pulverized,  2  oz. ;  sulphate  of  iron,  4  oz. 
Mix  well  together  and  give  one  tablespoonful 
twice  a  day. 

Another  good  remedy : 

Take  saltpetre,  4  oz» ;  crude  antimony,  1  oz. ; 


124  THE  HOESE   EDrCATOR. 

sulphur,  2  oz.  The  saltjoetre  and  antimony 
should  be  finally  pulyerized,  then  add  the  sul- 
phur and  mix  Tvell  together.  Dose,  tablespoon- 
ful  of  the  mixtui'e  in  bran  mash  daily. 

HOW  TO  DISTINGUISH  BETTTEEX  DISTEMPEE 
AND  GLAXDEES. 

The  discharge  from  the  nose,  if  Glanders,  "^ill 
sink  in  water.     If  Distemper,  it  will  not. 

DISTEMPEPu 

All  catarrhal  affections  are  classed  by  horse 
OTSTiers  under  the  head  of  distemper.  Common 
catarrh,  epidemic  catarrh,  larynxitis,  bronchitis 
and  all  other  diseases,  accompanied  by  nasa| 
discharges,  are  regarded  by  horsemen  as  one  and 
the  same. 

The  following  remedy  is  to  cure  distemper  in 
its  simple  form,  as  we  find  it  in  colts  soon  after 
disease  being  started.  If  there  is  swelling  under 
the  jaws,  poultice  the  throat  with  flax  seed  meal 


THE  nOESE    EDUCATOR.  125 

or  bread  and  milk,  apply  mustard  and  vinegar, 
and  give  internally  one  of  the  following  powders 
in  feed  :  pulverized  genetian  2oz.;  sulph.  copper, 
1  oz.;  pulverized  ginger  6  drams,  mix  and  divide 
into  8  powders. 

INFLUENZA. 

For  several-years  past  a  disease  has  been  more 
or  less  prevalent  in  various  sections  of  this  coun- 
try, known  to  the  Yeterinary  as  epidemic  catarah 
or  influenza.  The  symptoms  of  this  disease 
are  so  various  in  different  animals,  no  two  being 
precisely  alike,  that  a  variety  of  opinions  are 
current  concerning  it  and  its  nature ;  and  as  a 
consequence,  various  other  diseases  are  often 
confounded  with  it.  The  usual  or  leading  symp- 
toms are  slight  watery  or  mucous  discharges 
from  the  nose,  eyelids  presenting  a  reddish  ap- 
pearance, matter  collects  in  the  corner  of  the  eyes, 
jjulse  feeble,  great  debility  as  shown  by  the 
quick,  feeble   action   of  the  heart,  a    symptom 


126  THE   HOESE   EDUCATOE. 

rarely  absent,  membrane  of  nose  much  reddened, 
sore  throat  and  cough,  occasionally  the  feet  be- 
come fevered  as  in  founder,  causing  much  stiff- 
ness and  might  be  easily  taken  for  that  disease. 

Treatment :  This  being  a  typhoid  disease  re- 
quires a  sustaining  treatment  or  success  will  be 
very  doubtful.  In  the  early  stage  of  this  disease 
give  the  first  two  days  ten  drops  of  tincture  of 
aconite  or  bryonia  in  a  little  water,  every  six 
hours,  after  which  give  a  pail  of  water  to  drink, 
and.  once  a  day  one  ounce  spirits  of  nitre,  or  two 
drachms  of  extract  of  belladonna  ;  and  give  in  the 
feed  three  times  a  day,  one  of  the  following  pow- 
ders : 

Genetian  root,  saltpetre  and  anise  seed,  of 
each  1  oz. ;  sulphate  of  quinine,  1  drachm ;  mix 
and  divide  into  eight  powders.  The  throat 
should  be  bathed  with  mustard  and  vinegar,  or 
with  linseed  oil,  3  oz. ;  spirits  of  hartshorn,  1  oz. 
Mix  together.  No  hay  or  corn  should  be  given, 
but  scalded  oats  or  wheat  bran,  with  linseed  tea 


THE   HORSE   EDUCATOR.  127 

or  oatmeal  gruel,  should  constitute  tlie  diet.  I 
would  recommend  a  few  carrots.  But  above  all 
good  nursing  is  to  be  desired,  and  by  following 
the  foregoing  instructions  a  succes-ful  result  is 
inevitable.     , 

GLANDERS. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  fatal  diseases  to  which 
the  horse  is  subject.  It  is  propagated  in  the 
most  cases  by  contagion,  the  infection  being  seed 
from  the  nasal  discharge,  not  as  many  suppose 
from  the  breath,  but  according  to  eminent 
foreign  authors,  tlie  disease  has  its  origin  also  in 
a  vitiated  state  of  the  blood,  and  this  maj  result 
from  improper  treatment  or  neglect  of  almost 
any  disease  to  which  he  is  liable.  In  its  early  stage 
it  appears  to  be  onl}^  a  slight  inflammation  of  the 
inner  membrane  of  the  nose,  not  however  at- 
tended with  the  usual  florid  red,  characterizing 
inflammation,  but  of  a  paler  hue,  and  afterwards 
becommg  darker.   The  first  marked  symptom  is  a 

6 


128  THE   HORSE   EDUCATOR. 

discharge  from  the  nose  scarcely  to  be  distiu- 
^'uished  at  first  from  the  natui'al  moisture,  either 
hj  its  color  or  consistence,  and  generaUj  comes 
fi-om  one  nostril  only,  and  that  from  the  left  one. 
In  appearance  it  is  thin  and  transparent,  closely 
resembling  the  natural  discharge  a  little  increased 
in  quantity,  and  sometimes  continues  in  this 
doubtful  stage  for  several  weeks  and  months. 
Instances  are  indeed  known,  where  it  has  existed 
for  several  years  before  it  became  fully  developed. 
In  such  cases  it  is  attended  with  no  loss  of  appetite, 
no  cough,  no  apparent  illness  of  any  kind,  with 
little  enlargment  of  the  glands  under  the  jaw,  and 
a.fc  the  same  time  the  horse  is  capable  of  commu- 
nicating the  disease. 

Too  many  of  these  horses  with  a  decided  glan- 
derous discharge  fi'om  the  nose  and  adherent 
glands  under  the  jaw,  are  found  on  our  roads,  or 
are  employed  in  agriculture,  which  (although 
they  are  otherwise  in  good  health  and  perform 
their  work  well)  should  not  be  permitted ;  for  by 


THE   HORSE  EDUCATOR.  129 

sucli  means  the  contagion  is  often  widely  spread. 
Xo  cough  accompanies  real  glanders  in  any  of 
its  stages,  except  the  last  which  is  usually  soon 
cut  short  by  death. 

In  addition  to  the  preceding  tokens  for  dis- 
covering at  an  early  period  the  true  glanders 
from  other  disorders,  let  the  nostrils  be  closely 
examined.  In  the  real  glanders  the  left  or  run- 
ning nostril  will  be  found  of  a  deeper  color  than 
ordinary,  while  the  other  or  dry  nostril  is  of  a 
paler  color,  or  almost  white. 

The  reader  must  bear  in  mind  the  varied  color 
of  the  nostril  in  deciding  all  cas3S  of  this 
character.  Also  that  in  c  jlds,  <fcc.,  both  nostrils 
run. 

Before  the  disease  finishes  its  course  both 
sides  of  the  nose  and  head  become  affected, 
the  ulcers  extend  down  the  wind  pipe  and  fasten 
upon  the  lungs. .,  The  virus  secreted  by  and 
discharged  from  the  ulcers  is  absorbed  and 
carried  through  the  whole  system,  and  soon  puts 


"  130  THE  HOKSE    EDUCATOR. 

an  end  to  the  creature's  miserable  existence. 
The  best  preventaties  of  glanders  are  dry,  clean, 
^\-ell  ventilated  stables,  moderate  exercise,  green 
food,  when  it  can  be  procured,  and  roots  in  the 
winter. 

The  disease  may  be  cured -in  its  early  stages 
or  before  ulcers  are  formed  in  the  nose,  or  the 
lumps  under  the  jaw  adhere  to  the  bone,  by 
turning  the  animal  on  a  dry  pasture  ;  by  proper 
attention  to  the  bowels,  and  by  use  of  alterative 
medicines,  to  work  the  poisons  out  of  the  system. 
Should  the  bowels  require  loosening,  give  the 
common  purge.  For  purifying  the  blood  the  con- 
dition powder  is  the  most  effectual  remedy.  The 
owner  must  beware  of  putting  the  horse  to  hard 
labor  too  soon,  after  having  been  turned  out  as 
before  directed,  as  the  disease  is  liable  to  return 
on  subsequent  confinement,  even  after  the  running 
at  the  nose  has  entirely  disaj)peared.  It  is  con- 
ceded by  all,  that  when  this  disease  is  once 
seated  it  cannot  be  cui'ed,  and  humanity  dictates 


THE   HOnSE    EDUCATOR.  131 

and  economy  should  prompt  us  to  terminate  tlie 
animal's  existence  at  once.  This  course  has  now 
become  an  imperative  duty,  as  the  fact  is  es- 
tablished that  man  is  susceptible  to  the  contagion, 
and  there  are  numerous  cases  on  record  when 
those  who  have  had  the  care  of  glandered  horses 
have  fallen  victims  to  this  disease. 


CHEONIC    COUGH. 

This  is  generally  the  consequence  of  neglected 
catarrhal  aif  ctions,  worms,&c.  For  treatment  give 
twice  each  day  Barbadoes  aloes  2  oz.;pulv.  Fox. 
glow  or  (digitalis)  1  oz.;  linseed  rqeal  13  oz.;  mix 
with  molasses,  dose  one  ounce. 

Another  remedy  is  ammoniac,  I  oz.;  squills, 
pulv.,;^  oz.;  Aloes,  pulv.,  1  oz.;  linseed  meal,  16  oz.; 
mixed  with  molasses,  and  divide  into  four  balls, 
to  be  given  one  each  night  for  four  days. 


132  THE    HORSE   EDUCATOR. 

TREATMENT  FOR  RHEUMATISM. 

Poultice  the  feet  with  mustard  and  flaxseed 
meah  Give  internall}-  of  nux  vomica,  1  oz.;  pulv, 
gentian  root,  Ih  oz.;  pulverized  ginger,  1  oz.;  mix 
and  divide  into  twelve  powders,  give  one  everj 
night  in  the  feed,  keep  the  lody  warn  and  give 
no  corn. 

LOCKED  JAW. 

This  disease  generally  arises  from  nail  woi.nds 
in  the  feet,  or  sharp  metallic  substances  taken 
into  and  w^ounding  the  stomach  or  intestines.  The 
fii'st  symptoms  of  the  disease  are  observed  about 
the  ninth  or  tenth  day  after  the  injury  is  done, 
w'hich  are  a  stragling  or  stiffness  of  the  hind  legs 
to  w^hich  succeed  in  a  few  days  the  following :  On 
elevating  the  head  a  spasmodic  motion  of  the 
membrane,  in  the  inner  corner  of  the  eye,  will 
be  observed,  showing  little  more  than  the  white 
of  the  eye  ;  the  muscles  of  the  jaws  become  rigid  ; 


THE    HORSE  EDUCATOE.  133: 

tlie  tongue  is  swollen,  and  the  moiitli  is  filled 
with  saliva  ;  the  ears  are  erect,  the  nose  poked 
out ;  the  nostrils  expand  ;  respiration  becomes 
disturbed,  and  finally  the  jaws  become  firmly  set, 
and  the  bowels  constipated. 

Treatment. — Tinct.  of  aconite,  2  drs.;  tinct.  of 
belladonna,  2  drs.;  water,  half  oz.  Mix  and  give  40 
drops  every  4  hours  on  the  tongue  ;  keep  a  ball 
of  aloes  in  the  mouth  for  several  days.  There  is 
no  fear  of  giving  too  much.  I  have  knovrn  half  a 
pound  to  be  given  in  a  few  daj's  Avilh  good 
success. — Hj-drocyandic  acid,  20  drops  in  a  little 
water,  and  put  upon  the  tongue  every  4  hours,  is 
an  excellent  remedy.  Foment  the  jaws  with  bags 
of  hops  steeped  in  hot  wate-,  and  bathe  the  line 
of  the  back  from  the  pole  to  the  croup  witli 
mustard  and  vinegar.  Ee  careful  not  to  allow  the 
animal  to  be  unnecessarily  excited  by  noises 
and  confusion  about  him.  Go  about  him  quietly ^^ 
keep  a  pail  of  bran  slop  before  him  all  the  time> 
If  the  foot  has  been  injured,  poultice  with  flaxseed 


13J:  THE     HORSE   EDUCATOE. 

meal   and  keep  the  wound  open   till  a  liealtliy 
action  lias  been  establislied. 


FOUNLEPv   EEMEDY. 

Give  from  one  to  four  ounces  of  saltpetre, 
according  to  the  severity  of  the  case.  For  a  seyero 
case  draw  about  one  gallon  of  blood  fi'om  the 
neck,  then  drench  with  linseed  oil.  one  quart ;  lub 
the  fore  legs  with  water  as  hot  as  can  be  borne 
-without  scalding,  continuing  the  washing  till  the 
horse  is  perfectly  limber. 

*  noPtSE    OINTMENT. 

Eesin,  4  oz.;  beeswax-,  4oz.;  honey,  2  oz.:  lard, 
8  oz. ;  melt  these  articles  slowly,  bringing 
gradually  to  a  boil,  remove  from  the  fire,  and 
slowly  add  a  little  less  than  a  pint  of  spirits  of 
turpentine,  stirrmg,  all  the  time  this  is  being 
added,  and  stir  till  cool.  This  is  an  extraordinary 


THE   HORSE   EDUCATOR.  _        135 

ointment  for  bruises  of  the  flesh,  or  hoof,  or 
"broken  knees,  galls  or  bites,  or  when  a  horse  is 
gelded  to  heal  and  keep  off  flies. 

CONDITION    POWDER. 

Fenugreek,  cream  of  tartar,  gentian,  sulphur, 
saltpetre,  resin,  black  antimony  and  ginger,  of 
each  1  oz.;  cayenne  1 — 2  oz.  xill  finely  pulver- 
ized, mix  thoroughly.  It  is  used  in  yellow  water, 
hide-bound,  colds,  coughs,  distemper,  and  all 
other  diseases  where  a  condition  powdei'  is 
needed.  They  carry  off  gross  humors,  and 
purify  the  blood. 

Dose —  in  ordinary  cases  one  tablespoonful 
once  a  day.  In  extreme  cases  give  twice  daily. 
This  powder  has  never  failed  to  give  entire  satis- 
faction. 

TO  make   magic  liniment. 
Take  2  oz.  oil  of  spike  ;  2  oz.  origanum  ;  2  oz. 


136  '  THE   HOESE    EDUCATOR. 

hemlock ;  2  oz.  Y,'ormv>'ood  ;  4  oz.  sweet  oil ; 
2  oz.  spirits  ammoniac ;  2  oz.  gnm  camphor  ; 
2  oz.  spirits  turpentine  ;  1  quart  proof  spirits. 
Mix  well  and  bottle  for  use,  cork  tight.  For 
sprains,  braiseSj  lameness  of  any  kind,  this  lini- 
ment is  unsurpassed.  This  is  the  same  lini- 
ment, leaving  out  the  turpentine,  which  has 
achieved  such  wonderful  cures  for  human  ail- 
ment. 

A  more  simple  liniment  can  be  made  by  put- 
ting into  spirits  of  turpentine  all  the  camphor 
gum  it  will  cut.  For  ordinary  purposes  it  is  fit 
for  use ;  but  if  you  ^ish  to  reduce  pain,  add  as 
much  laudanum  as  there  is  turpentine. 

French  paste  for  bone  spavin  (will  cure) : 
corrosive  sublimate,  quicksilver,  and  iodine,  of 
each  1  oz.  with  sufficient  lard  to  form  a  paste. 
Eub  the  quicksilver  and  iodine  together,  and  add 
the  sublimate,  and  finally  add  (he  lard,  nib- 
bing thoroughly,  shave   off  the   hair  the  size  of 


THE   HORSE   EDUCATOR.  loT 

tlie  bone  enlargnient,  tlieu  grease  all  around  it, 
but  not  where  the  bone  is  shaved  off.  This 
prevents  the  action  of  the  medicine  only  upon 
the  spavin  ;  rnbin  as  much  of  tLe  paste  as  will 
He  on  a  five  cent  piece  only,  each  morning  for 
foiu'  mornings  only,  and  from  six  to  eight  days 
the  spavin  will  come  out,  then  vrash  out  the 
wounds  with  suds,  soaking  woU  for  an  hour  or 
two,  which  removes  the  poisonous  effects  of  the 
medicine  and  facilitates  the  heahng,  which  can 
be  done  by  any  heahng  salve.  I  perfer  ihe  horse 

ointment  to  anv  other. 

$ 

LLNIMENT  FOR  SrAVES'  SPLINT  CURBS,  &G. 

Oils  of  spike,  origanum,  cedar,  British  and 
spirits  of  turp^  ntine,  of  each  one  oz.  ;  pulverized 
Spanish  flies  1 — 2  oz.,  apply  once  in  six  or  nine 
days. 

RING   BONE    REMEDY. 

Pulverized  cantharides,  oils  of  spike,  origanum. 


138  THE   HOESE    EDUCATOE. 

amber,  cedar  and  Barbadoes  tar,  and  British  oil, 
of  each  2  oz.;  oil  of  wormwood,  1  oz.;  spirits  of 
turpentine,  4  oz.  ;  lard,  three  lb.  Melt  the  lard 
slowly,  add  the  acids,  stir  well,  and  add  the 
others,  stirring  till  cool ;  clip  oil*  the  hair  and 
apply  by  rubbing  and  heating  in.  In  about  three 
-days,  or  when  done  running,  ^\  ash  off  with  suds 
and  apply  again.  In  recent  cases  two  or  three 
applications  will  cure,  old  cases  require  more 
time. 


^  POLL-ETIL   A^'D   FISTULA. 

Common  potash,  1— i  oz.;  extract  of  belladonna 
12  drm.:  gum  Ai'abic  1 — 4  oz.  Dissolve  the  gum 
in  as  little  water  as  possible,  then,  having 
pulyerized  the  potash,  unless  it  is  moist,  mix  the 
gumVater  with  it,  and  it  will  soon  dissolve  ;  then 
mix  in  the  extract,  and  it  is  ready  to  use.  The 
best  method  for  getting  this  into  the  pipes,  is  by 
the   means  of  a    small    syringe.     After  having 


THE   HOESE   EDUCATOR.  139 

cleansed  the  sore  with  suds,  repeat  once  in  two 
dajs  until  the  callous  pipes  and  hard,  fibrous 
base  aronn:T  the  poll-evil  or  fistula  is  completely 
destroyed. 


10   SCATTER   POLL-EYIL. 

Take  a  quantity  of  mandrake  root,  bruise  and 
boil  it,  strain  and  boil  down  until  rather  thicks 
then  form  an  ointment,  simmering  Y\'ith  sufficient 
lard  for  the  purpose,  xinnoint  the  swelling  once  a 
day  for  several  day  suntii  well.  It  has  cured  ^heni 
after  they  were  broke  out  by  putting  it-  in  the 
pipes  a  few  times ;  also  annointing  around  the 
sore. 

ANTISPASMODIC  TINCTURE.  (For  man  or  beast.) 

Oils  of  caj;i;>^r,  cloves,  ]36PP*^i'iiii^^5  annis, 
of  each  1  ouii'jc  ;  of  alcohol  one  quart.  Mix 
alltogether,     and     bottle    for    use.       Dose    for 


1-40  THE    HOESE   EDUCATOR. 

horse,  1  ounce  eTerj  15  minutes  in  a  little  ^-liis- 

tej  and  warm  water,  sweetened  with  molasses, 

continue  till  relieved. 

Dose  for  man  :  one  teaspoonful. 


PHYSIC   BALL. 

Barbadoes  aloes,  1  fb;  sjrup  buckthorn,  3  oz.; 
codliver  oil,  3  oz.;  melt  the  whole  and  stir  till  cool. 
In  winter,  add  a  little  water,  make  into  18  -pills, 
and  give  every  four  hours,  or  as  much  as  will 
move  the  bowels. 


DirRETIC  DROPS. 

These  drops  are  reliable  for  stoppage  of  water, 
foul  water,  or  inflammation  of  the  kidneys.  In 
all  cases  take  sweet  spirits  of  nitre,  4  oz.  ; 
balsam  copaiba,  2  oz.;  oil  of  juniper,  2  oz.;  spirits 
of  turpentine,  2  oz. ;  gum  camphor,  pulv.,  1  oz. 
Mix  all  together,  and  shake  well,  bottle  and  it  is 


THE    HOESE  EDUCATOR.  141 

fit  for  use  for  man  or  beast  under  all  circum- 
stances where  a  diuretic  is  required.  Dose  for 
Lorse  :  One  oz.  in  lialf  a  pint  of  milk  once  in  six 
hours.  For  man  :  One  teaspoonful  in  a  table- 
spoonfui  of  milk  once  in  six  hours.  Be  sure  to 
shake  the  ingredient  up  well  before  pouring  out 
for  use. 

SWEE^'Y  LINI5IENT. 

Alcohol  and  spirits  of  turpentine  of  each  8  oz.; 
camphor  gum,  pulverized  cantharides  and  tinc- 
ture of  capsicum,  of  each  1  oz. ;  oil  of  spike 
3  oz.  Bathe  this  liniment  in  with  a  hot  iron, 
and  faithfully  follow  till  a  cure  is  perfected. 

KERYE    AND    BONE    LINIMENT. 

Take  beef's  gall,  1  quart ;  alcohol,  1  pint ;  vola- 
tile liniment,  12  oz.;  spirits  of  turpentine,  1  pound ; 
oil  of  origanum,  4  oz.;  aqua  ammoniac,  1 — 2  pint ; 
oil  of  amber,  3  oz. ;  tincture  of  cantharides,  6  oz. 
Mix. 


142  THE    HOESE    EPUCATOR. 

ENGLISH  STABLE  LINIMENT. 

Oil  of  spike ;  aqua  ammonia,  and  oil  of  tur- 
pentine, of  each  2  oz.;  sweet  oil  and  oil  of  amber, 
of  eacli  1 — 2  oz. ;  oil  of  origanum,  1  oz.     Mix. 

HOOF  LINDIENT  EOE  CONTEACTED  HOOF. 

Yenice  turpentine,  1 — 2  pint ;  aqua   ammonia^ 

2  oz.;  saltz  of  nitre,  1  oz.;  benzine,  1  oz.;  alcohol, 

3  oz.  Apply  to  the  edge  of  the  hair  and  to  the 
hoof  twice  a  day  for  the  three  fii'st  days ;  once 
a  day  for  the  next  three  days  ;  after  that  once  in 
two,  three,  or  four  da^'s,  as  the  case  may  require. 

REMEDY  FOE   BOTTS. 

Take  oil  of  turpentine  8  oz.  ;  alcohol,  1  quart ; 
Mix  and  bottle  for  use.  Dose  :  4  to  5  oz.  hi  the 
horse's  feed  once  a  day  for  8  days,  will  effectually 
remove  the  last  vestige  of  botts. 


THE   HORSE   EDUCATOR.  143 

TO  PREVENT  HORSES  BEING  TEASED  BY  FLIES. 

Take  half  a  pound  of  walnut  leaves  or  (butter- 
nut) and  pour  upon  them  3  quarts  of  cold  water, 
let  it  infuse  one  night,  and  pour  the  whole 
next  morning  into  a  kettle,  and  let  it  boil  for  a 
quater  of  an  hour.     When  cold  it  is  lit  for  use. 

No  more  is  required  than  to  moisten  a  sponge, 
and  before  the  horse  goes  out  of  the  stable  let 
those  parts  most  likely  to  be  irritated  be- 
smeared over  with  the  liquor,  between  and  upon 
the  ears,  the  neck,  the  flank,  &c. 

TREATMENT  OF  WOUNDS. 

Wounds  are  caused  by  accidents  of  various 
kinds  when  the  skin  is  much  torn  from  the  flesh. 
If  you  are  at  hand  while  the  wound  is  quite  fresh 
take  a  square  pointed  needle,  and  a  waxed 
thread  and  sew  it  up.  Be  sure  to  put  the  needle 
in  strait,  one  side  over  against  the  other,  draw 
the  skin  tight  and  tie  a  knot,  cut  off  the  thread,. 

7 


144  THE   HORSE   EDUCATOE. 

and  then  take  another  sticli  about  an  inch  off,  till 
it  is  all  nicely  drawn  together.  It  is  quite  wrong 
to  sew  up  a  wound  as  you  would  a  piece  of  cloth  : 
the  thread  should  be  cut  after  each  stich.  AVhen 
you  do  not  see  tlie  Avound  till  the  place  is 
growing  dead  and  the  skin  is  drawing  up,  then 
take  oft'  the  loose  skin  ;  for  if  j^ou  permit  it  to 
remain  it  will  leave  a  blemish. 

HOW  TO  CLEAN  AND  OIL  HARNESS. 

First  take  the  harness  apart,  having  eacli  strap 
and  piece  by  itself,  then  wash  it  with  warm  water 
and  castile  soap.  When  cleaned  black  each  part 
with  the  following  dye  :  1  oz.  extract  of  logwood  ' 
12  grains  bichromate  of  potash,  both  pounded 
fine,  put  into  two  quarts  of  boiling  rain  water 
and  stir  till  all  is  dissolved.  When  cool,  it  may  be 
used  ;  it  may  be  bottled  and  kept  for  future  use, 
if  desired.  It  may  be  applied  with  a  shoe  brush. 
When  the  dye  has  struck  in,  you  may  oil  each 
part   with  neatsfoot  oil,   applied  with   a   paint 


THE   HORSE  EDUCATOR.  145 

brush.  For  second  oiling  use  one  tliird  castor  oil 
and  two  thirds  neatsfoot  oil,  mixed.  A  few  hours 
after  wipe  clean  with  a  woolen  cloth,  which  gives 
the  harness  a  glossj  appearance.  This  preparation 
does  not  injure  the  leather  or  stitching,  makes  it 
soft  and  pliable  and  obviates  the  necessity  of 
oiling  as  often  as  is  necessary  by  the  ordinary 
method.  T\lien  the  harness  is  removed  from  the 
horse,  take  a  woolen  cloth  or  chamois  skin,  kept 
for  the  purpose,  and  wipe  off  the  dust  and  all 
moisture  from  rain  or  perspu'ation,  and  when  the 
harness  is  nearly  dry,  rub  its  damper  parts  very 
thoroughly  with  a  second  cloth  or  skin  until  it 
is  quite  soft  and  pliable. 

The  bits  and  plated  mounting  should  be 
cleaned  and  rubbed  with  ar  slightly  oiled  rag 
before  the  harness  is  finally  hung  in  its  j^lace  ; 
the  harness  should  be  protected  from  dust  either 
by  a  covering  of  cloth,  or  by  hanging  in  a  closet. 
Whenever  the  leather  becomes  dr)^  and  hard,  it 
should  be  cleaned  and  oiled  according  to  the  forp 
going   directions. 


This  celebrated  Shoe  has  been  iii  use  over  faiir 
years.  It  is  highly  recommended  hj  the  most 
prominent  horsemen  and  veterinarians  in  America, 

For  curing  Corns  and  all  ailments  caused  b}' 
Contraction,  it  has  no  equal,  Robebt  Bon~n'ek 
says  it  is  the  lyesL  Shoe  invented  for  Contracted 
Feet, 


CORniS. 


The  Shoes  are  manufactured  by 

TYRREIJ:!  &  FERREN, 

BATAVIA,  N,  Y, 


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